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General discussion

Can iBook be hacked in public hot spots?

Sep 2, 2005 9:52AM PDT

1. Since the Mac OSX is relatively safe from viruses and spyware, would the Macs be vulnerable to outsiders hacking into the Macs through the wireless?

2. In order to connect to a public hot spot, one needs to disable the encryptions (WPA, WEP, etc) from our laptops, and there are lots of literature cautioning the use of hot spots because of this risk. Would the iBook be just as vulnerable as the Windows laptops when disabling security in order to connect to the hot spot?

Would appreciate views from the knowledgeable wireless mobile users. Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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In short, YES!
Sep 2, 2005 10:42AM PDT

While the Apple may survive, your data may not. NEVER use someone else's WIFI for any transfer of information that you won't share with everyone. Here's why -> There are such things as ROGUE WIFI hotspots that are there just to pilfer credit card and other information. NEVER give/use someone elses network and issue a credit card or other personal information. I leave such use to just the web and nothing more.

Bob

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Vulnerable
Sep 2, 2005 11:27AM PDT

Like Bob says, the trouble is while the data is in transit from the iBook to the Wireless Access point.
It is in the air ready to be grabbed by anyone.

P