OpenVPN - Security For WiFi Browsing Out And About

OpenVPN - Open Source VPN. I use my Cellular data connection from Verizon Wireless for most of my Internet use while traveling, or out and about. It is secure from hackers who might be sitting at the next table in Starbucks, or in an airport lounge, or wherever I can get a cellular signal, which, with Verizon Wireless, is just about anywhere in the U.S. As more airlines are providing pricey WiFi access while flying, however, it is more important than ever to consider security from data sniffing hackers. Airlines still don't permit cellular frequencies to be used; but, they consider WiFi frequencies okay. I am certain that has nothing to do with the fact that they can make money selling data access over WiFi. Before you ask, you can't make VOIP calls, even though they use the WiFi data stream. That is just a matter of the airlines not wanting the plane to be full of loud phone conversations. We can all relate. Of course, if you are going to be on a long flight, it might be worth it to pay $10 to $20 for Internet access. However, it is no more secure than public WiFi, and your data stream is unencrypted and open, unless you are at a site that automatically encrypts. And, even then, any user names or passwords you type at your computer are open to data sniffers. What to do? Well, there are a lot of companies that provide a VPN tunnel that will encrypt your data if you connect through them to the net. If you use a tunnel, your data looks like gibberish to a sniffer. My favorite service is OpenVPN, which is a free sign up. You get 100 mb of free data transfer with the service, and can buy 50 Gigabytes for $10. You can buy more if you need it; but, unless you are using it all the time, that should last a while. Open WiFi? Just don't do it. You should be the person with the locked door. Hackers won't bother with you, while there are so many open doors sitting around you.