WiFi/Hotspot Security

[jparker402]

I live in a senior living apartment building that has a "building/public wifi" system. Users have a common password to log on. And signal attenuation makes reception iffy at times. I would like security and reliability. Am thinking about getting my own router, but have a couple questions first.

If I use the building's common wifi to connect to sites that are password and two-party authenticated (think that is the term), does that make it unlikely that others could intercept my communications to banks, credit card companies, financial managers, etc? Or would I be better off with my own, personal router? Does the wifi system carry my email so that that may get compromised?

I have found that my connectivity is often much better if I use my iPhone 13 as a hotspot. If I use that, does that bypass the building's wifi and eliminate my security concerns?

Thank you!

 

[Bigwaff]

If I use the building's common wifi to connect to sites that are password and two-party authenticated (think that is the term), does that make it unlikely that others could intercept my communications to banks, credit card companies, financial managers, etc?

Yes. Make sure the sites are https (little lock icon in the Safari web address bar)

Or would I be better off with my own, personal router?

Unknown if you are "better off". You won't be sharing the bandwidth and Wi-Fi network with others if you use your own Wi-Fi router. Is that important to you?

Does the wifi system carry my email so that that may get compromised?

It does. However, your email service is most likely using an encrypted, secure connection, just like web sites with "https".

I have found that my connectivity is often much better if I use my iPhone 13 as a hotspot. If I use that, does that bypass the building's wifi and eliminate my security concerns?

Yes, building Wi-Fi not used. Security concerns? No different than having your own router.

Security and connection quality are two very different things. For example, your security concerns could be alleviated by using a VPN while connected to building's common wifi. As for connection quality, you get what you pay for... most of the time.

 

[BigBlur]

It's not exactly clear from your post, but when you say "get your own router", do you also mean getting your own internet service as well? Or how do you plan on connecting the router to the internet?

 

[jparker402]

It's not exactly clear from your post, but when you say "get your own router", do you also mean getting your own internet service as well? Or how do you plan on connecting the router to the internet?

I think I mean get my own internet service. I understand the service will provide the device (router?) that will connect me to their wifi. I do not plan on getting a service to get me things like Netflix, etc. Just want a reliable, secure connection to wifi.

 

[Bigwaff]

I think I mean get my own internet service. I understand the service will provide the device (router?) that will connect me to their wifi.

The service will provide the router device, however, the router broadcasts the Wi-Fi signal. The router does not connect to "their Wi-Fi". It connects to the service's internet backbone.

 

[gilby101]

From the security (privacy) perspective, treat it the same as a public (or hotel or cafe) Wifi and use a VPN service. The VPN client (on your computer) creates an encrypted tunnel to the provider's VPN server - everything is encrypted and invisible to anyone else in the building. I use Private Internet Access, but there are plenty of others.

Relying on the encryption of https hides the content of web connections, but does not hide the web addresses to which you connect.

 

[Fishrrman]

If you can "get your own internet service", then by all means GET IT.

See what options you have, come back here, lay out all the options, and get our thoughts.

You want "your own" service, "your own" router, etc.
MUCH MORE secure that way.
Probably much faster, too -- since you won't be "sharing" bandwith.

If you have a choice between "cable" and "fiber" -- my advice is to go with the fiber.

In either case, the ISP should provide you with a halfway decent router, set up and ready-to-use.

 

[Mr.Fox]

I live in a senior living apartment building that has a "building/public wifi" system. Users have a common password to log on. And signal attenuation makes reception iffy at times. I would like security and reliability. Am thinking about getting my own router, but have a couple questions first.

If I use the building's common wifi to connect to sites that are password and two-party authenticated (think that is the term), does that make it unlikely that others could intercept my communications to banks, credit card companies, financial managers, etc? Or would I be better off with my own, personal router? Does the wifi system carry my email so that that may get compromised?

I have found that my connectivity is often much better if I use my iPhone 13 as a hotspot. If I use that, does that bypass the building's wifi and eliminate my security concerns?

Thank you!

Hacking and hijacking can be done. It'll take two seconds. If the phone is connected to public Wi-Fi, even with a password, privacy is out of the question. If the internet is from an operator, you don't have to worry.
Use your Wi-Fi router, which is under a password.

 

[jparker402]

Still exploring/trying to understand options.

Did contact the cable company that provides to our building. Their least expensive (and probably adequate enough) wifi plan would cost about $51 a month and provide 100 mbps inside my apartment. Installation would run around $100 if they did it or they say I could do it myself. Right now the apartment's current service is providing 21 mbps in the apartment. That is useable, so not sure if the extra $51 would be necessary.

Getting NordVPN looks like it would run $3 to $4 a month for the more basic service. That would apparently provide not only anonymity but may also skirt some surfing restrictions. Wondering, given https, if what would be enough.

Will continue to explore. Really appreciate the suggestions you all have provided.

 

[Fishrrman]

Is "cable" the only choice?
Do you have fiber available (from another provider)?
Sometimes there are [multiple] "choices" available, and sometimes, not.
If you do have multiple choices, make sure you check out them all before a final decision.

$51 for 100mbps isn't the best of deals, but if you want privacy and security, it will do.
It may be "all that's available".

When I hear "cable", I'm thinking coax cable and an outfit like "Comcast".
Does your building already have coax "wired into" the apartments, with outlets?

WHY I'm asking:
If you're going to have a dedicated (to you only, not shared) cable connection, it will have to run from either "outside" or perhaps there's some kind of switching/distribution point inside the building.

"Install it yourself" usually means that you already have cable available "inside" your home or apartment, and the company sends you the cable modem/router (also called a "residential gateway") and you connect it yourself, turn it on and set it up yourself. Also, you take care of any "inside wiring" within your home/apartment. This works fine for some, others may encounter problems.

 

[jparker402]

Is "cable" the only choice?
Do you have fiber available (from another provider)?
Sometimes there are [multiple] "choices" available, and sometimes, not.
If you do have multiple choices, make sure you check out them all before a final decision.

$51 for 100mbps isn't the best of deals, but if you want privacy and security, it will do.
It may be "all that's available".

When I hear "cable", I'm thinking coax cable and an outfit like "Comcast".
Does your building already have coax "wired into" the apartments, with outlets?

WHY I'm asking:
If you're going to have a dedicated (to you only, not shared) cable connection, it will have to run from either "outside" or perhaps there's some kind of switching/distribution point inside the building.

"Install it yourself" usually means that you already have cable available "inside" your home or apartment, and the company sends you the cable modem/router (also called a "residential gateway") and you connect it yourself, turn it on and set it up yourself. Also, you take care of any "inside wiring" within your home/apartment. This works fine for some, others may encounter problems.

I will try to be as specific as I can here. The company that provides our tv is Cox Cable. There are outlets in my apartment for accessing that service. Cox is also the company that sas they will provide 100mbps for $51 a month. And access to that would be through the same cable connection, which I imagine is coaxial. I do not know if the connectivity within the building is fiber or not, nor do I know if connectivity from Cox to the building is fiber or not. I know that some utility just ran fiber down into our area but I do not know who or specifically why. Will try to find out.

 

[Fishrrman]

"I know that some utility just ran fiber down into our area but I do not know who or specifically why. Will try to find out."

Just open up a search page, enter something like your zip code and "fiber provider", and see what you get.

If you already have cable tv, then I'm thinking that you can install a "splitter" (Y-type connector), run the tv box off "one side", and hook the cable modem/router up to the other side. Then either connect to the Mac with ethernet or wifi (ethernet is better if possible).