Hot spot security question

[Hoagie52]

When useing a iPhone in a free open hotspot can anyone see your I'd and passwords when useing 3rd party app from the app store. Or do these passeord get encrpted?

[jmccullough108]

When useing a iPhone in a free open hotspot can anyone see your I'd and passwords when useing 3rd party app from the app store. Or do these passeord get encrpted?

They should be encrypted.

[wackymacky]

The security of information sent between you and the router does depend on what security set on the router.

Most cafe's etc make it quick and easy to use their hotspots. In order to minimize login requirements and avoid encryption compatibility issues, they disable much of the security built into their wireless devices.

Someone with packet sniffing software can intercept wireless transmissions via data packets.

Packets are the form in which data is organized and sent across networks. If the packets are unencrypted, someone with a packet sniffer can see the information as plain text.

[kAoTiX]

Regardless of router security, most website logins and the like use SSL encrypted pages. This is encryption which is client side (on your iphone) If you are unsure if something uses SSL to transmit data you probably shouldn't use it as wackymacky said, anyone can sniff the traffic from your iphone to the router.

Where possible, stick to SSL especially when on unsecure networks. You can never be totally secure but unless you have something someone really wants you'll be fine.