USB tethering to laptop safe?

[bucky]

I use my Verizon Android tethered to a laptop for internet access when traveling. Would a sniffer be able to find and access the connection? I've been thinking it would be secure but would like to know for sure.
Thanks for any input.

[Chuck_thehammer]

verizon hotspot....

4 years full time.. not one issue. banking and all.. just use 16 bit or higher passwords.

I use 32 bit passwords for bank stuff.

be more concerned with the "MASS" hacking.. like credit companies.. major banking... major Stores.

[bucky]

Thanks everybody.
I occasionally have to do some banking while on the road and was wondering.

[trb46]

Internet security is certainly something we should be concerned about, but I have to wonder how many hackers are hanging out at campgrounds. I’m not trying to make light of the security issue, but I’m thinking serial hackers have bigger fish to catch.

[2oldman]

The odds that any one person will be hacked are remote.

[1492]

bucky wrote:
I use my Verizon Android tethered to a laptop for internet access when traveling.

No, not for "wired' tethering though the term can also be used for wireless connections?

Just be sure to keep "Bluetooth" off on your Verizon Android (smartphone?) device when absolutely not needed? I don't think Google has released an effective patch for recent BlueBorne vulnerability, extremely bad, which basically allows hackers control of your device, whether using encryption, passwords locks, etc. No Bluetooth pairing required for the hack. Not doing do could conceivably also allow access from a hacked Android device to your laptop files?

I have the latest Google Android patches on my Samsung Note, and it's still showing a vulnerability to BlueCote using a scanning app from the company that discovered it?

Click above to PLAY.

[5thwheeleroldma]

We do that; it has a password, but who knows? I think we are all losing faith in the powers that be. High time for some breakthru on identity verification.

[Dick_B]

I surely hope so because that's the way we do it when on vacation(s).

[kerrlakeRoo]

When ethered to a laptop or a desktop, they are only as safe as the cellphone your using, namely, if someone can hack your phone, they can then access your computer.

[mike-s]

Define "secure," and how much you think "they're" out to get you. Government could tempest the wired connection and if you think the cellular networks are free from gov't snooping, nope.

[evanrem]

This day and age who knows what's safe anymore. Using your phone as a hotspot is much safer then using public WiFi. A more pressing issue is Bluetooth if you Re really concerned about security as there are known vulnerabilities. Someone would really want to hack you though.

[valhalla360]

USB Tethering is secure between your phone and your laptop but really not significantly more than using the wifi hotspot with a password. Someone can tell if the wifi hotspot is active but can't break in and do anything with it without some high end hacking skills.

Far more likely is someone getting access from a website you access and download from.

[bwanshoom]

Assuming you mean a sniffer that's not on your laptop, then no, it cannot find the connection. USB tethering is a wired connection, not wireless, so other people cannot see it.

Now a hotspot is another type of connection that can be seen (although it can be made secure) because it's wireless. But you said it's USB tethering so no, you're good.