Caught an interesting piece on BBC Watchdog last Thursday (makes a change from dodgy rogue traders). The programme discussed the security implications of using wireless networks in Coffee Shops like Starbucks, and provided scary demonstrations of how hackers can “sniff” unencrypted wireless traffic, hack your mail boxes, and masquarade on Facebook as you!
Needless to say a “celebrity” had to be wheeled out in the form of Rav Wilding pin up, former copper and star of BBC Crimewatch, and more recently Strictly Come Dancing .
The anonymous hacker duly “did the business” and hacked into Rav’s Gmail account. Cue, shocked gasps from Rav.
Then numerous experts were wheeled out. One claiming the solution was secure VPN’s (or Virtual Private Networks). Only problem, said the “expert,” was that VPN’s were a bit geeky, and tricky for normal users to setup. Well that is a bit of a problem. Whilst VPN’s have been established in corporate networks for a while, once you try and come up with simplified, dumbed down, mass market solution, like Windows OS’s, these will be instantly target for vulnerabilities by “crackers.”
But VPN’s are not that tricky to setup! For example Plesk has a VPN module which is actually a bit of a cinch to setup. We’ve tried it and it works. Basically configure your VPN on a Plesk Virtual Private Server ( a bit of clicking and pointing). Then Plesk will give you the option of downloading a small package (a stripped down OpenVPN package with all the configuration done for you) to download and setup on your Windows or Linux desktop.
Then you will be able to connect from your laptop to your Plesk VPS Mail server, sending email and files (over the internet) as if you were connected on a wired secure local network, on a private IP address range. Cool stuff!
The snag is you still need a Plesk VPS which will cost a minumum at least $30 per month. Still cheap and a small price to pay you might think, but not cheap enough for everyone obviously.
The good news is that Weycrest Mail and Web Hosting packages actually support secure email connections as a freebie! So much cheaper than “Skinny Latte” then!
Not only do we support the standard POP3, IMAP and SMTP, but also the less well known counterparts, POP3s, IMAPs, and SMTPs. You’ll get a security message/SSL certificate error when your email client connects, but thats a small price to pay wethinks, for encrypting your mail account details and email traffic.
Its relatively easy to configure too. No chest waxing is required! Mozilla Thunderbird, Outlook, Outlook Express and many other email client software all support secure SSL. Indeed its a get around for problems in sending email because most wireless and 3G networks, quite sensible block outbound port 25 as a spam prevention measure. More info on configuring popular email clients soon!
