[wplug] Discuss: Networking in an insecure world

Eric Cooper ecc at cmu.edu
Thu May 5 12:44:04 EDT 2005


On Thu, May 05, 2005 at 12:25:28PM -0400, Brandon Kuczenski wrote:
> I have a desktop that connects to my server via wireless and WEP.  I would 
> like to eliminate the "many home directories" problem by sharing home 
> directories between the two computers.  I was originally going to use NFS 
> for this, but in light of Bill's recent post, I'm not sure I really want 
> to broadcast - not just my home directory but those of other users - out 
> into the ether over a wireless connection whose integrity cannot be 
> assured (even if I switch to WPA, which I'm planning, assuming I can get 
> it to work, the fact that it's only intended to be an 'interim' 
> replacement does not fill me with confidence) and in a protocol that has 
> zero security measures.

I suggest you use a VPN (virtual private network).  That way, all your
traffic is encrypted, so you can use NFS, mail, etc. without (much)
fear of eavesdroppers.

I use the "PPP over SSH" approach, but there are many alternatives.

-- 
Eric Cooper             e c c @ c m u . e d u


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