Reply
Thread Tools
Posts: 14 | Thanked: 3 times | Joined on Sep 2007
#1
Hello everyone, I am looking for some advice about security via connecting to a wifi hotspot. I have already searched around and read about openVPN to secure my network traffic while using open wifi. That is where my problem begins. I am a windows user and comming from windows I prefer to use something with a GUI. I find using the command line or writing scripts to accomplish tasks highly annoying. I am an end user not a programmer. So I got to thinking is there any GUI solution being developed for my beloved new N800 to setup a secure VPN session to encrypt my network traffic. I was thinking of something along the lines of Jiwire hotspot helper. I know that openVPN is what a lot of people have setup but after reading thru some of the instructions I felt a bit overwhelmed with trying to configure it. Also I do not want to leave my home PC running while I am away. I have zero knowledge with linux and any linux commands, so reading the minty fresh blog instructions left me feeling a bit dumb for not understanding what is being done. I would just like to know if there is an alternative solution for those of use that are clueless.
 
iball's Avatar
Posts: 729 | Thanked: 19 times | Joined on Mar 2007
#2
 
Posts: 14 | Thanked: 3 times | Joined on Sep 2007
#3
Originally Posted by iball View Post
Search.
I have already searched around and read about openVPN to secure my network traffic while using open wifi.
Why not just provide me with an actual solution to my question as opposed to tell me to go look which is what I have been doing. Maybe I'm not looking for the right terms thats why I posted the question because I'm unable to find a solution on my own. But thanks for the reply
 
brendan's Avatar
Posts: 531 | Thanked: 79 times | Joined on Oct 2006 @ This side of insane, that side of genius
#4
http://maemo.org/downloads/search/ap...fetch=Fetch%21

edit - you may have some reading to do, so that you understand the linux operating system a little better, and can use things like ssh or vpn from the command line.
__________________
Nokia n800
OS 2008
Pharos iGPS 360-BT
ElmScan 5 BlueTooth
BlackBerry Bold (9000)
AT&T Wireless

Last edited by brendan; 2007-09-08 at 19:54.
 
Posts: 14 | Thanked: 3 times | Joined on Sep 2007
#5
Thank you for your reply I am willing to learn just was hoping for a viable alternative to using a command line. I know the linux mentality is to praise the use of the command line system but I feel we have progressed enough since the 1980's to move past it. Also the second part of my initial question is as far as I understand I would need to be running a server on my home PC to connect to in order to tunnel my traffic. I was lookng for a way to avoid that, its not out of the relm of possibility to run the server but on windows there are a number of solutions to create a secure tunnel and not have to run a server on your home computer. Maybe there is a solution similar to that and I haven't read that far, just bare with me I'm still trying to learn.
 
brendan's Avatar
Posts: 531 | Thanked: 79 times | Joined on Oct 2006 @ This side of insane, that side of genius
#6
ok first, there is no need to run a gui, unless you have too. the advancements in hardware are not necessarily best used on piggish guis

second, anything that accepts an incoming connection is a server, and anything that makes an outgoing connection is a client.

misconstruing the need for a full server in the hardware sense vs. the need to run a server app in the software sense seems to be what you are hitting on.

you can run an ssh server on windows, and ssh from a hotspot on your n800 to your windows server, while burying ports through the ssh session. this will allow you secure your transmissions over a hotspot connection. this gets a little involved, and it doesnt seem that you are at that point yet with understanding.

what you may want to look into is a VPN endpoint device, such as a router that can act as a PPTP VPN server, and install the PPTP client listed in the link i gave above. you can then have the router forward the traffic as you wish. again, grasshopper, you have a ways to go.

this all seems a bit overkill for cruising around the net on a hotspot. what specifically do you think you need to ward off on a hotspot?
__________________
Nokia n800
OS 2008
Pharos iGPS 360-BT
ElmScan 5 BlueTooth
BlackBerry Bold (9000)
AT&T Wireless
 
iball's Avatar
Posts: 729 | Thanked: 19 times | Joined on Mar 2007
#7
Originally Posted by DragonsLee View Post
Why not just provide me with an actual solution to my question as opposed to tell me to go look which is what I have been doing. Maybe I'm not looking for the right terms thats why I posted the question because I'm unable to find a solution on my own. But thanks for the reply
Oh I'm sorry, when I first read your post I felt you were acting like the following:

Give a little girl a fish and you feed her for a day. Teach her how to fish and you feed her for a lifetime.
In other words, I'll be glad to write out a step-by-step solution for you.
Are you willing to pay my contracting fees for such a "service"?
Because since you state you're such a windows user that you can't survive without a GUI then you obviously want someone to code one especially for you.
Since I don't require such a kluge to get VPN working for me on my N800 then I consider it to be "extra work" just to get it done for you.
And my time is money. $75-an-hour plus expenses to start.

I guess what I'm really trying to tell you is to stop being such a scared little girl and go learn how to REALLY use Linux at the command-line level or failing that, return/sell your N800 to someone who can get better use out of it.
 
Posts: 14 | Thanked: 3 times | Joined on Sep 2007
#8
Originally Posted by iball View Post
Oh I'm sorry, when I first read your post I felt you were acting like the following:



In other words, I'll be glad to write out a step-by-step solution for you.
Are you willing to pay my contracting fees for such a "service"?
Because since you state you're such a windows user that you can't survive without a GUI then you obviously want someone to code one especially for you.
Since I don't require such a kluge to get VPN working for me on my N800 then I consider it to be "extra work" just to get it done for you.
And my time is money. $75-an-hour plus expenses to start.

I guess what I'm really trying to tell you is to stop being such a scared little girl and go learn how to REALLY use Linux at the command-line level or failing that, return/sell your N800 to someone who can get better use out of it.
Well then thank you for such a useless response. I see the typical internet mentality is at work here so I will gladly ignore any further comments that you provide and by the way your $75 an hour is chump change. Why fault someone for wanting a point and click easy to use app. Since this is the "great debate" between many people not unlike yourself its a waste of time to even continue to explain to you why I would want such an app. I do find many people could benefit from it who don't have the time to learn commands nor care to.

As for my concerns. Since this is in fact an internet tablet I feel I should securly be able to use the internet, including banking sites without fear that someone is sitting there sniffing packets and trying to extract my personal info.

I will look into the router option as this will save me from having to install anything on my computer and having to leave the computer running. I just like saving power is all.
 
Reply

Thread Tools

 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 15:13.