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Whidbey Telecom Internet & Broadband
Wi-Fi Links
How-To and Troubleshooting
Windows XP and Wi-Fi
Windows2000/ME/98SE and Wi-Fi
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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding SecurityIs WhidbeyNET Wi-Fi (WLAN) access less secure than a wired internet connection? WLANs transmit data wirelessly, over the air. Although data traveling on a wired network can be intercepted, wireless communications are more vulnerable in this regard. A hacker can also use the wireless connection between the user's device and the Wi-Fi access point - even if the user is not on the internet - to gain access to the user's device, including the data and software stored there. That's why WhidbeyNET recommends that users employ security safeguards such as those noted in our Security Statement and these FAQs. Are my user name and password secure when I'm logging on to WhidbeyNET Wi-Fi? WhidbeyNET Wi-Fi uses secure socket layer (SSL) technology to encrypt user name and password information during your log-on. SSL is the current standard encryption technique recommended for web-based transactions across the internet. The WhidbeyNET Wi-Fi authentication process is bi-directional. We authenticate the user logging on, and in order to help deter "rogue access points", we present an authentication certificate to the user showing a connection to us. Is my credit card information safe when I'm signing up for your service online? The online credit card transaction process that we use employs SSL encryption. Keep in mind that WhidbeyNET Wi-Fi does not provide security with respect to your use of 3rd party websites and/or services. We strongly advise you to deal only with trusted sources and service providers on the internet. How do I know that a site has employed SSL encryption? Although different browsers and web sites may use different methods to denote security or SSL encryption, one commonly used indicator is that the address is shown as https://... on your web browser, and a closed padlock or key icon appears. [The presence of such an icon is not a guarantee of total security.] Does WhidbeyNET use WEP to provide a secured connection? No. WEP (Wireline Equivalent Privacy) is based on what's called "shared secret" encryption. The key to the encryption (the "secret") must be shared with all users of a WLAN which uses WEP. In our view, this is not a practical or an effective security technique for use on a public network. How secure are web mail services? Most web-based email services transmit messages "in the clear", i.e. as unencrypted text. Email that is unencrypted may be vulnerable to illicit attempts to intercept it. WhidbeyNET has implemented SSL encryption for web mail; if you are retrieving and/or sending email using WhidbeyNET's web mail interface, your session will be secured via SSL. You should see a closed lock (or key) icon on your browser to denote SSL (although different browsers may use different methods of denoting this). Once mail is sent via the internet, it is transmitted in plain text. WhidbeyNET Wi-fi does not provide security for other, 3rd party, services including web-based email. If you choose to use WhidbeyNET Wi-Fi to send and receive email, we strongly urge you to avoid transmitting confidential or sensitive information, and recommend that you encrypt attachments before sending them. Does WhidbeyNET Wi-Fi support the use of VPNs to access email and enterprise applications and data? If you're using a WLAN to send or receive information that you consider confidential, WhidbeyNET Wi-Fi strongly recommends the use of a VPN (virtual private network) to enhance the security of your communications. WhidbeyNET Wi-Fi currently supports most VPN solutions, with the exception of thosed based on later two tunneling protocol (L2TP). VPN solutions based on IPSec and PPTP are supported. If you need confirmation about the type of VPN solution used at your company, please consult with your IT department. What about instant messaging - is it secure? Typically not. Most instant messaging services transmit communications as clear, unencrypted text - on both wired and wireless networks. This means that the information is vulnerable to illicit attempts to intercept and read it. Check with your instant messaging provider to learn more about whether any security features may be available. If you choose to use instant messaging while connected to a WhidbeyNET Wi-Fi Hot Spot, we strongly advise against your transmitting information that you consider confidential. How can I increase the security of my communications? Unfortunately, there is no solution or practice that guarantees the security of your communications. However, there are some things that you can, and should, do to enhance your data security whether using WhidbeyNET Wi-Fi or any other service to access the internet.
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