CG wifi or Cell hotspot for privacy

[pasusan]

For the first time we will have to pay some bills while we are on the road. Since I'll be accessing some financial sites on the internet, should I use the CG wifi or my cell phone hotspot? Which is safer or are they a horse apiece?

[magicbus]

Interesting information (as always 😉 in these threads). Because your banking and credit card sites no doubt use TLS encryption for their httpS work, you have very little to worry about no matter if you use an open wifi or your cell with a wireless hotspot, or simply your cell browser or bank app.

The only real concern might be if the open wifi you connected to was operated by someone who had figured out how to defeat TLS 1.2. If they managed to do this I expect they would not be wasting their time on your bank account.

You can easily see what your credit card and bank use for encryption. In Firefox if you go to your bank site and click on the green padlock, click on the right arrow in the box that pops up, and then click on More Information you will see the Technical Details of your encrypted connection. You should see TLS 1.2. Nobody can see anything they could possibly use in a session between you and your bank when you see TLS 1.2.

Now if I really wanted to be concerned about my bank account I would go get a debit card and use it online. But I don't because whatever website I gave my card info to can empty my attached checking account and I would have to ask the bank for it back. Which is why I only use a credit card or, for online shopping, the Shopsafe single use credit card where I set the limit amount and it appears on my regular credit card account.

Dave

[MrWizard]

Use your phone and
Use a cable from phone to pc
You want to use 'tether'
Not hot spot, direct connection to phone, No Wi-Fi involved VPN not needed
VPN is extra security, but not absolutely necessary

Tethering is a cable / cord connection between phone and pc
Hot spot is a Wi-Fi connection between phone and pc
Both give you the web access
But No Body can pick up a cable data signal
It's not a Wi-Fi broadcast, it's a hard wired connection
Lots of people will say tether when talking about Wi-Fi on the phone
Hot spot and cable tether are two different things

I don't access my bank online, I do pay bills , buy online , but that is thru the use of a debit card or pay pal

When I want to access the bank
I do it thru the dial number, just like paying the phone bill
No web, No computer, don't even need to use a smart phone
Just key pad buttons
Yes not as easy, but much safer

[2oldman]

OK. If you use a phone App perhaps a phone browser would be OK. I would think the cc would have text alerts.

[wnjj]

2oldman wrote:

pasusan wrote:
Yes it does - but I was thinking calling to get the balance is safer than logging in to the website. No?

I'm sure either is fine. If you pay using an app, you can't get your balance the same way?

It's his bank app, not his CC company's.

[2oldman]

pasusan wrote:
Yes it does - but I was thinking calling to get the balance is safer than logging in to the website. No?

I'm sure either is fine. If you pay using an app, you can't get your balance the same way?

[pasusan]

2oldman wrote:

pasusan wrote:
. But - I just figured it out - I can call them on the phone - and then use my bank's app to pay..

Your CC doesn't have a website?

Yes it does - but I was thinking calling to get the balance is safer than logging in to the website. No?

[2oldman]

pasusan wrote:
. But - I just figured it out - I can call them on the phone - and then use my bank's app to pay..

Your CC doesn't have a website?

[Kayteg1]

Do phone transmissions have any security?

[pasusan]

OK, all.... Thanks for the responses!

I am not worried about it. I've got one credit card co. that can't seem to send me an email with my monthly amount due. But - I just figured it out - I can call them on the phone - and then use my bank's app to pay.

Don't worry... Be happy...

[Kayteg1]

Yeah, that is why I bank with Credit Union.

[wildtoad]

I'd use the phones abilities primarily because most Campground wifi systems are overloaded and internet access is at best iffy.

[rr2254545]

Kayteg1 wrote:

2oldman wrote:

kalynzoo wrote:
on the other end the store, the intermediary, the bank, etc, are being hacked regularly.

My bank is being hacked regularly?

Do you REALLY think they would inform you about it?

LOL I would change banks fast

[Kayteg1]

2oldman wrote:

kalynzoo wrote:
on the other end the store, the intermediary, the bank, etc, are being hacked regularly.

My bank is being hacked regularly?

Do you REALLY think they would inform you about it?

[2oldman]

kalynzoo wrote:
on the other end the store, the intermediary, the bank, etc, are being hacked regularly.

My bank is being hacked regularly?