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Network Security While Traveling?

Posted by kdawson on from the moving-duck dept.

truesaer writes "I'll be spending all of next year backpacking through South America. In the past I've used Internet cafes while away, but this time I plan to bring a netbook and rely primarily on Wi-Fi hotspots. I'll be facing the same issues and risks that business travelers in hotels and airports face, as well as those encountered by millions of other backpackers, gap-year travelers, and students. Since my trip is so long I'll have no choice but to access my banking, credit card, and investment accounts on public networks. I will not have a system at home to connect through. Other than an effective firewall, a patched system, and the use of SSL, what else should I do to protect my information? Keep in mind that many places have very poor bandwidth and latency."

5 of 312 comments (clear)

  1. dm-crypt by tetromino · · Score: 5, Insightful

    All network security is for naught when someone can just steal your netbook and read all the passwords and form data that firefox helpfully remembers for you. You have to make sure that your firefox profile directory (as well as all other confidential data, like passwords and bank statement pdfs) is stored on an encrypted block device. On Linux, a loopback device encrypted with dm-crypt works well.

    1. Re:dm-crypt by iron-kurton · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Banking passwords should be memorized and never, ever, EVER written down or saved (and that includes firefox too). So when (not if) someone steals his netbook, he won't have to worry about them having his passwords (even if encrypted).

      --
      Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine -- Robert C. Gallagher
  2. Re:OpenVPN by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Most Ask Slashdot problems are solved by throwing out the most ridiculous requirement. Usually this is because the poster has logic-ed themselves into a blind spot. The classic where-are-my-glasses-I've-searched-everywhere-oh-here-they-are-in-my-hand kind of a thing.

    In this case, the "no system at home" requirement is the offender. Just set up an old linux box with a friend, and like the GP said, VPN to it. You do have friends, don't you? Family? Non-tech savvy coworkers who won't question that computer case with the post-it note that says DO NOT DISCONNECT?

  3. Privacy has some monetary cost, just like travel! by gilgongo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "I will not have a system at home to connect through."

    Then get one if you're concerned about your privacy. Really, are your bank details not worth ten or twelve bucks a month for a virtual server somewhere?

    --
    "And the meaning of words; when they cease to function; when will it start worrying you?"
  4. Re:are you sure you're asking the right question? by agnosticnixie · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Backpacking through south america doesn't mean OP is spending 5 months in the middle of the Amazon. Besides, how does internet access limit it? Oh, right, it doesn't. And phones aren't technology? Is this slashdot or some sort of faux-luddite assembly.