I’m an end user at a RV park that uses a mikrotik hotspot.
I can use their wifi without logging in… but even after I log in using my ipad it reports: “Unsecured Network”
After logging in with my Chromebook it reports “Not secure”, and Security None.
The Fire tablet reports Security None
So what am I doing wrong? Or what should I ask the RV park to check on their end?
Any info / suggestions you could be provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, and best regards,
Michael
What you see means that wireless hop doesn’t use any security and/or encryption. Meaning WiFi access point doesnt use WPA/WPA2. For public hotspots this is quite common.
For user of public hotspot the lack of security on last metre is no concern as she must NOT trust the whole network and she must use any security available to protect her devices (device firewall, VPN/SSL connections, …).
Securing public APs is not simple from logistics point of view: mechanism of generating temporary usernames and passwords has to be implemented (possibly RADIUS backend) and hand-out points need to be established (possibly some reception desks).
A new wifi standard is on the way where you can have security on open SSID. As of today, an open SSID is an open network.
For you as an end-user the “not secure” means that other users on the same RV park can see what you are doing.
The actual content of your traffic will be less and less visible because almost everyone uses https now.
However, on a http site they would be able to trace your traffic and extract passwords etc.
Your action depends on what your relation to the RV park is. When you are just there for holiday, don’t worry too
much about it. The personnel is not going to know what to do anyway. When you are semi-permanently there I
would consider talking to the manager to see what could be done for semi-permanent residents. Technically,
the MikroTik access point can offer both an open access and a secured access (with a password) at the same time,
but someone would have to configure that.
There is no security key for your connection to the wireless. It means you are susceptible to some unscrupulous people.
My advice would be to get a VPN to encapsulate your traffic so you can’t be intercepted.