Question for 1337 nerds

[bigred]

I'm sitting in an econ class in a uni building and hopped onto some chem lab group's wireless router. There's no pw or anything. What I want to know is, how safe is this connection? In the very rare occasion that there is a kid who knows how to hop onto other computers on an unsecured router, could he get into mine?

The reason I'm asking is I'd like to start playing some bodog poker in class. I'm 95% sure there's no problem, but I'm just curious if someone could get my info, etc.

[gabe]

dont worry about it

[boost]

just open up one of your porn movies in the background. Since all of your porn is german transexual bondage sex, it is sure to scare him away.

[euphoricism]

Wouldn't worry about it much, no one will bother you, but I would consider only keeping the minimum necessary amount of money in the account at any one time. Three-four buyins.

[freechus9]

I AM L337 HAXXOR

[jyms]

I'm pretty sure if y0u have a descent software firewall on your 'puter you should be fine. Can't be any worse than most.

[thenonsequitur]

Someone that knows what they're doing and has access to the router data stream could run a packet sniffer and intercept all transmissions between your computer and the internet and vice versa. A lot of routers don't make it easy to access this packet stream, so it's extremely unlikely that someone is doing this.

But even if someone is, about the worst they can do is read your email (and that's only if you send or receive non-encrypted email over standard smtp or pop). They can also see what websites you're going to and intercept any data you enter in forms on non-secure pages.

While they would be able to intercept your poker transmissions to and from the poker room, they wouldn't be able to do anything with this data, because it is encrypted. Same with IM conversations.

Also, the above idea (all they can do is intercept data) assumes you don't have unusual open services running on your computer (and no, I'm not talking about your "unusual webcam service"--very nice show last night btw). I mean things like remote desktop service, trojans that have opened up services, etc... If you have a local firewall and virus detection software you should be fine with regards to this.

[Galapogos]

^^^ Very informative and it got a chuckle out of me. What a quality post. Why aren't there more of these?

[sandstorm]

CAPS OCK IS THE CRIUSE FONTGROL FOR AWSEOME

[givememyleg]

Why do you need one thousand three hundred thirty seven nerds for this question?

[Warpe]

CAPS OCK IS THE CRIUSE FONTGROL FOR AWSEOME

^^^ Very informative and it got a chuckle out of me. What a quality post. Why aren't there more of these?

[sandstorm]

there wikl more studne not at a uno town lOL im gunna be frunk

there wikl more studne not at a uno town lOL im gunna be frunk

It's frigging Wednesday man. You are a balla!

[sandstorm]

i kopw u know

[jyms]

Stop it sandstorm, Your killin' me. My fuckin' ribs hurt.