VPN User Is Not Always Protected Open Wi-Fi Network

People who open Wi-Fi networks by using a VPN to shield their traffic running in theory still risk of data leaks. The problem arises from the action of some open Wi-Fi networks. The VPN can only become connect after the user connects.

With many open Wi-Fi networks, the user must first log on to a portal home page or to accept the conditions before connecting to the Internet. In the time before the VPN is active, there is a theoretical risk that data can not be sent through the VPN and may be in the hands of an attacker. In this case, the user programs, such as an email client, have already started and is being tried for example to send credentials.

In addition, the program must use encryption for the setting up of the connection and sending the login data. If these conditions are met, there is a risk, warns Ars Technica . Users who want to protect themselves against this risk getting Shaun Murphy Private Giant advised to use a software firewall. The firewall to prevent incoming and outgoing connections on public networks, the browser after.

With this particular browser can be logged into the Wi-Fi portal. The browser would then also have to be used only for this purpose. Using the same firewall should then profile / zone for VPN traffic preparations of inbound and outbound traffic is less restricted. In this way, the primary e-mail client and browser will not work until there really is a connection to the VPN. Sean Sullvian F-Secure notes that the browser used in "safe mode" should be started for the wifi portal so no plug-ins are loaded.