motel security

Peter2

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Hello
My motel has wireless free with an Ethernet jack in the room.
Does it help me to run an Ethernet cable from their jack to my router and another cable from the router to my laptop or is the network still unsecured as far as I am concerned?
If the idea is worth it, is it straight forward?
Thank you
 
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Using your router and setting up wifi on your end is more secure than just signing into their wifi... :geek:
 

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configuring

Is there much to do with my router?
 

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you might need administrative rights to setup your router as an access point only. Ethernet connection will be secured enough compared to wireless.
 

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Hi there
My experience with Motel / Hotel Internet connections is that the LAN connection in your room is a proper (often High Speed) LAN and is different from the Wifi connections in the same hotel.

The Wifi in a busy Hotel -- especially if a lot of corporate / grey suited consultants are staying there is often overloaded and response time can drop dramatically whereas the LAN usually works most of the time -- most people can't be bothered to carry a small length of LAN cable with them so they all use the Wifi.

As for security -- you could plug your router into the hotel's LAN but it's another piece of kit to carry -- usually you are secure enough on a LAN if you just disable the "Network visibility" / set up the network as being used as a public one rather than a home network.

I travel a lot and I must admit I haven't heard any horrendous tales of people having security problems using the Internet in a Hotel any more than they have when at home. People who get Viruses - open email attachments from unknown sources and do all sorts of silly things they would at home will run into exactly the same problems they would wherever they are - while those who Surf sensibly won't get any problems either.

Finally if you are logging into a Work system they will (or should have) a proper VPN which will certainly be secure even from a public Wi-Fi system -- if it isn't -- well then there are some people who should be given "Pink Slips" / P45's etc and sent on their way.

I'm sure loads of decent Hotel Chains don't want to lose large corporate accounts on the grounds that their Internet is insecure.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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motel

I really appreciate all the help.
This hotel is the Spring hill suites by Marriott and should at least have a passkey.
We will chose another one next time and leave the pc home this time. Most of us cannot figure out too much in the area of networking etc.
 

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I am a Marriott Rewards member and have never had problems with security at any of the Marriott properties - Renaissance, Marriott, JR Marriott, Springhill Suites, Farifield Inn, etc. I use them often. Sometimes the speed isn't as fast as I would like, but other than that, no problems.
 

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The router would give you an extra firewall. But that is still not a 100% secure environment.

A better solution would be to install a Linux distro in a virtual partition under e.g. VMware Player and run all internet traffic via that. A Linux system is highly secure and it will unlikely get infected and should it get infected, just delete the VMware folder and roll in a clean copy that you should have made after you installed the Linux distro.

And should you need to copy files obtained under Linux to the host system, run them first thru Virus Total (under Linux). If they come out clean there, then you are good.

Here is a series of tutorials I made on how to install and setup a Linux distro (Mint Mate in that case). It is easy and a lot of fun.

Just download the 2 page PDF control sheet from here and you will see.

If you do not like Mint Mate, here is another option with Zorin.
 

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Just returned

I just returned + am catching up.

There was no key so anyone could use their internet.

I am not a skilled user so some of the well intentioned suggestions are too hard for me. I tried oracle's VM once and had to recover an image.

I am going to read the links provided, however, in an attempt to educate my self for any future trips.

I still wish to thank those who helped.

Peter
 

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Here is another tutorial I just made. It was intended for a different purpose but it will give you a fully operational operating system with which you can browse the web 100% safe. I post this in your context because it is very, very easy to produce and there are no technical skills required.

The production is quasi automatic with a few clicks and the execution is very easy and somewhat familiar.

Emergency Kit - save your files from a dead OS - Windows 7 Help Forums
 

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security

Hello
I have been reading about Mint mate and more.

It is truly amazing that it is an OS in a flash drive and can be worked and configured.

I still have to study as I like to look before I jump.

While we are on the topic of security, may I ask, "Are there dongles or usb cards you can buy from Verizon and ATT, for example, that provide secure on the road protection?"

I really appreciate the information you have given me to study this week.

Peter
 

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may I ask, "Are there dongles or usb cards you can buy from Verizon and ATT, for example, that provide secure on the road protection?"
I don't think that a dongle will give you anything other than connectivity. From there you have to have your own firewalls (in the OS and the router) and a muscular AV program.

But none of that is really 100% secure. Even the best AV program will not be able to catch all the Malware. Therefore it is a lot safer to operate with Linux on the persistant stick or in a virtual partition.

Linux is hardly ever being attacked by a virus and if it really is, your Linux installation can be easily deleted and reestablished in little time.

For the vitual pratition you just delete the VMware folder in Documents and roll in a backup folder that you have copied and safely stored earlier.

For the stick installation, you just reformat the stick and reinstall Linux which is a 10 to 20 minute job with a few clicks.

And should you want to keep files from your browsing activity, you first check them on-line in Linux with the Virus Total site. If they pass there, then they are 100% safe and can be written either to your host system (in the case of a virtual partition) or to an external device for later usage in the host system.
 

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on the road protection

I see. I always thought that having Verizon or ATT as the admin + having one of their cards offered security, more so than Wi-Fi but I guess I was wrong. I have Defender with Win 8, MBAM and my router. The router would not be involved if I were on line as it could not be involved mechanically.

As I said I am off to study your ideas and thank you again.

peter
 

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Hi Peter,

You gave me the idea for another tutorial which will describe 2 options for 100% safe surfing the net in places where you deal with an open WiFi - or even at home.

The firewalls and the AV programs can only do so much but they cannot protect your system and your data 100%.

I will be posting this tutorial on the sevenforums (because there it is easier to post than here). When this is done, I'll send you the link.
 

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apprecaietion

That will be wonderful and I look forward to viewing it. Thank you. Many people will be in better shape than they would have been when traveling or our of the house.
 

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I am just uploading the last video. This turned out to be a lot more involved than I first thought because I am showing 2 different options.

Once the upload is done I will post it. That will take a couple of hours because of all the pictures and the formatting. So this afternoon it should be ready.
 

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VM

By all means take your time. The work must entail much thought and effort.
 

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VM

Hello
I have begun to familiarize myself with the tutorial using Win 8 x 64 with 6 GB memory and 1T.

An incredible amount of work was done to accomplish this.

I will be studying for some time then I will have a few questions before I continue, I am sure.

Many people will be safer when on the road because of this, so, kudos.

Peter
 

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    Nvidia GE force 420
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    1TB
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Post back if you have questions. I was trying to make the tutorial pretty clear and comprehensive. Fortunately I had some of the videos 'in stock'. The tough part was to get it right posting in the tutorial section - especially all those pictures.

I suggest you start with the USB stick version. That is fast after you downloaded the Mint Mate .iso. But the VMware version is more useful in the long run. I use it all the time. And make some of the settings that are described in chapter 4. They are no rocket science and they will make it much nicer to operate.
 

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