CG wifi or Cell hotspot for privacy

Never, ever use the campground wifi for anything that you wouldn't be willing to openly discuss with all your neighbors. Granted, they're probably not paying attention but it only takes one.

And... when you do use your cell hotspot for anything sensitive, make sure the beginning of the URL is "https" (meaning encrypted) and not just http.

Lastly, rather than simply clicking a link in an emailed statement, it is always best to go directly to the site by typing the address in the bar at the top of a new browser window. This takes out the threat of a bogus email. When you're done with that transaction, log out, close the window and open another one for your next transaction.

Both share the same vulnerability although personal hotspots are slightly less likely to be attacked. But only very slightly. If it is security you seek, you will need to use a vpn. I have noted that some open wifi hotspots do not play well with vpns. When I encounter one of those, I refuse to use it, as it is too insecure. A vpn can be added to your device but will require a subscription to a vpn host. These cost $0 to maybe $10 a month (you get what you pay for, IMHO)

Second vote for VPN.

naturist wrote:
Both share the same vulnerability although personal hotspots are slightly less likely to be attacked. But only very slightly. If it is security you seek, you will need to use a vpn. I have noted that some open wifi hotspots do not play well with vpns. When I encounter one of those, I refuse to use it, as it is too insecure. A vpn can be added to your device but will require a subscription to a vpn host. These cost $0 to maybe $10 a month (you get what you pay for, IMHO)

Good point about a VPN. Care you share which one (or more) you like?

I like Azire, at azirevpn.com. They do not track you or keep records about who went where, so you get no spam. It is also available on a monthly basis so you can turn it on when you need it or leave it off/unbilled when you are home. It's also among the less expensive vpns and came highly recommended by the experts.

I've also used GoTrusted, slightly more expensive, not so easily turned on/off, but more convenient to use on a daily basis.

X2 on all above - This goes for all of the public access WIFI HOTSPOTs... Just too dangerous for me to use to protect my personal identify... I see folks paying bills inside a McDonalds place... Not for me thats for sure...

My CELLPHONE is too old for the HOTSPOT feature so I carry one of those VERIZON MIFI HOTSPOT devices with me that provides a good protected hotspot zone for up to five of our devices... The version I have is not good for downstreaming however so it only gets used for checking in with the kids, paying some bills online, and some searching the internet. It also works pretty good in the truck going down the roadway for the wife and her tablet... Being small I can carry the MIFI unit in my shirt pocket if we are walking around along the beach or down a wooded forest trail etc... Neat to have around...

This personal Verizon MIFI really solves the probably with most campground provided WIFI hookups being that when everyone in the campground connects you lose the use of their WIFI big time... Too many folks for the average Campground system to handle.

There will be a bunch on here saying it has never been a problem for them so this will have to be your decision on to use it or not...

We all are subject to this identify thief problem no mater what system we are using but I feel I add alittle bit more of security by not using the public WIFI zones for any of my sensitive information.

Roy Ken

We are caught many times on the road when specific bills come due, that are not on an auto pay. Even if we have campground wifi, we never use it for paying bills or accessing our bank-financial information. We flip over to our phone hot-spot. And actually pay the bill right from the phone instead of our lap top computers or Ipad (we have both). Everything else, we'll go ahead an use the campground wifi (if it's functional!)

I use Verizon Hotspot for all banking with the banks phone app and on a laptop and have never had a problem

You shouldn't have a problem using a phone or dedicated hotspot, especially using a secure site that starts with "https". When you turn the hotspot on, be sure to check that you have a required password, and you have to specifically allow a device to connect. That will keep people from piggy-backing on your signal.

If you disregard all the hoopla about "unsecured" wifi, I seriously doubt you can find any example where someone logging on to a campground wifi system suddenly had their bank accounts drained. Yes, there is the theoretical potential, but your life insurance also covers the potential that you killed by a meteorite, something that has never happened in recorded history. Then there is the fact that a campground is a target poor environment. Even if someone was technically skilled to actually steal and utilize the information sent over unsecured hotspots, they wouldn't be targeting RV parks. The guests at parks use a tiny fraction of their wifi time sending critical information and the odds are just as great that thief would find an account with a $50.00 balance, rather than a couple of million. This fear of campground wifi systems is vastly exaggerated.