Earlier this season a OnMouseClick reader told me that every time he connects to the TRRWIFI wifi network, he receives a message informing him of “security recommendations”. He uses both an iPad and MacBook online, and all Apple devices deliver this same warning when connecting to an unsecured wifi network. He had heard that a VPN might be able to protect his network connection, but wasn’t sure what it was and how it worked, and suggested a column on the topic. This column attempts to address, and simplify the issue.
We know that the TRRWIFI network is an open, unsecured network, but what exactly does that mean? In simplified terms, a data signal initially travels over a wired network to a routing device called a router. For TR that means that fiber optic cables deliver the signal to a main router in the park. The signal is then “routed” to other locations, either through additional wires connected to the router, or it is broadcast over the air as wifi signal.
A router that broadcasts a wifi signal is known as a hotspot. A hotspot is considered protected if users must enter a password on their device before gaining access. If the router is unprotected, or open, anyone in range of the wifi signal has access to everything sent over the network. When you use an open network, you are vulnerable to anyone with a malicious intent. The chances of a so called “cyber attack” happening at Traveler Rest are relatively low, but not impossible, and it is important to protect your sensitive data, especially if you do online banking, shopping or investing.
If you purchased an antenna to connect to TRRWIFI, the signal the antennas captures from the nearest hotspot is sent to a router inside your house or RV and, assuming your router is password protected, unauthorized users are prevented from accessing your data and devices. But if you connect directly to TRRWIFI, you should consider taking steps to keep your data, and devices, secure.
The answer to protecting your data is to use a VPN, or Virtual Privacy Network. A VPN encrypts the data sent to and from your devices, allowing you to connect to the internet safely and privately. You can compare a VPN to a home security system — it keeps your valuables safe and everything else outside.
How does this work? To use the internet we all must have an ISP, or Internet Service Provider, which for TRRWIFI is Brighthouse Networks. When you connect to the internet you are actually connecting to a server at your ISP, and from there you connect to the internet. When you use an VPN service, everything you send from your computer is encrypted and sent to a server at the VPN to be unencrypted before it goes to your ISP. Data leaves and enters your computer covered in a virtual cloak of invisibility.
To use a VPN you need to subscribe to a VPN provider; some are free and most charge a monthly or yearly fee. The encryption used by free services is generally weaker than the paid services, and free services are most often accompanied by ads. Monthly fees ranges from $5 to $12 a month and yearly plans range from $40 to $100. The advantage to paying monthly is that you are not locked into a plan for a full year and you can cancel at any time.
As with everything, there is and upside and downside to using a VPN. The upside is that a VPN keeps your data and devices, secure from hacking and malicious intent. The downside is that using a VPN will slow down your internet connection. The first reason for the slowdown is that encrypting and decrypting data takes time. The stronger the encryption the slower the internet access, although considering the current state of computing power, this slowdown is relatively minor. Of more concern is the distance the data has to travel to the VPN server and back to your ISP server. The further it has to travel, the longer it takes. If the VPN server you use is located near you and your ISP, the process takes less time than if the VPN server is located halfway around the world (many VPN servers are located in Europe and Asia).
If you are serious about using a VPN, I recommend reading reviews and comparisons before making a decision, and give special attention to the results of speed tests. I recommend reading the reviews published by PC Magazine (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403388,00.asp) and CNET (https://www.cnet.com/news/best-vpn-services-2016-directory).
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