Quote:LOL, I think you and I are thinking about two different things.  Let me see if I can clear it up.

 

First of all, encryption is about securing data such as a file, a hard drive (the files stored on it), a password or the means of transmission.

 

It's also important to understand that a Wifi access point does send data to a hardwired modem at some point, and yes, that is somewhat "encrypted".  It's all about gaining access to the network.  Someone hacking a computer via Wifi isn't intercepting the radio transmission going over the air, they are intercepting the traffic that is on the network (which eventually goes to a wired connection somewhere).

 

In you're scenario, they've cracked the password, so they have the actuall password to your network.  I've never in any way said your data was safe under this scenario.  WIFI security has already failed at this point.  If they had the encryption key they wouldn't even need to connect to your network.  We're just talking about two ways to do the same thing.  If they have the password, of course it's not secure.  

 

Quote:An average home network with Wifi is not a "secure" or "encrypted" network.  The same can be said regarding public Wifi "hot spots".  The only "security" or "encryption" involved is being able to gain access to the network.  While yes, the radio transmission from your laptop to your wireless router/modem is encrypted, but once it reaches the network it is not (in most cases).  Think of it this way, your wireless connection to the router/modem is the same thing as plugging a cable into the same router/modem.  All network traffic flows through that router/modem.

 

That's what I've been saying.  WIFI encryption is only about safely transmitting data between the router to the device.  That is the only possible vulnerability that makes it different from a wired connection.  And WIFI encryption is not just designed to prevent network access, it HAS to encrypt the actual signal.  If it didn't do this, it wouldn't matter if they had access to your hotspot.  

 

 

Quote:Most wireless modems are protected using a certain scheme, usually either WEP or WPA/WPA2.  Anyone that uses WEP opens themselves up more so than if they use WPA/WPA2.  You do bring up a good point regarding password strength.  A vast majority of computer users choose weak passwords out of "convenience".  You also bring up another very important point regarding social media.  It's far too easy to find out information about a target by looking at facebook, instagram, linkedin, etc..  I would bet that most users on this very message board have passwords related to family, pets, hobbies or important dates in their lives.  All of this information can be found online pretty easily.

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<p style="font-size:12px;background-color:rgb(247,247,247);">I personally worry about privacy way more than security, and companies like Acxiom who try to secretly keep track of everything you do "for marketing purposes".

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