Internet security at home

So what’s changed that users need to now worry about technical issues that were of no concern before? The rise in identity theft has been a huge factor, with many people simply avoiding the internet because of a lack of understanding. Another major factor is the widespread use of wireless technology, which can compromise data on that critical stretch between the user’s PC and the Internet at large.

There exist packet-sniffing programs that can pick apart traffic on the network, and, if it’s unencrypted, easily read the contents. This is how, in a recent demonstration, it was shown that a Gmail user’s private emails could be read easily by someone who forced their way onto the wireless connection used to send them.

The reason for this is that (for some unknown reason) Gmail operates using HTTP, only securing the connection for the user to log in. A HTTPS version of the site is available, accessible by changing the start of the address from “http” to “https” after login.

There must be an easier way to secure data on the Internet, either through anonymity or encryption, to ensure unwanted users can’t monitor activity. There are options available, but most come with severe limitations.

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PeerGuardian is an IP blocking program designed to stop a huge number of computers from connecting to its host computer. These may be other client computers, such as those found on Bittorrent or servers trying to display adware. Either way they have to be on one of the frequently updated lists provided with the program, and so it does little to protect privacy except against parties that aren’t already known.

The Tor network is an impressive ‘onion’ network, an entire network of computers that willingly let other Tor users pass their data through their machine. Doing this adds a few more steps on the journey for data, resulting in a slower browse. Fortunately it obfuscates things enough to protect the identity of the user.

The problem with this is Tor is used by tech-saavy users, and on the last leg of the journey it is sent from one of those computers to the user’s computer. This opens up the possibility that a malicious Tor user could monitor the traffic sent in the same way an unwanted wireless user could.

In short, there’s no easy way to stay completely secure online, because much of the security is handled by the machines users connect to rather than their own machines. This doesn’t mean the only choice is to become a raging technophobe, rather it should encourage a more educated approach. A basic understanding of common protocols used helps stop the Internet equivalent of web users handing out their credit card numbers in public. Users must be careful and understand some of the technologies used in order to be safe, as compromising uniquely identifying data can be disastrous, be it credit card numbers or just personal information that should remain between friends.