Originally Posted by
Capite
I've wondered about this. I have ZoneAlarm and a VPN client on my laptop, along with antivirus software and Windows Defender, with everything up to date. Aren't I safe connecting to an ad-hoc network or any shifty looking wireless network?
Belt and suspenders kinda guy huh?
You are probably safe, but why risk it?
Also, remember that A) unless the VPN is configured so that the next hop is the remote gateway and B) its active (which it cannot be until you've been on the other network for at least a second) then its not protecting you.
There might be reasons to try. What if, for example, someone is using a hotspot and just wants to share it? Or what if someone is trying to ensnare me into using their 'hotspot' but they try to make it look legitimate by actually providing Internet access?[/QUOTE]
Sharing a hotspot would require 2 wireless NICs in a laptop...one to connect to the hotspot and one to rebroadcast...so its not likely that your going to run across this.
In general, I dont ever really see a need to connect to an unknown ad-hoc network...unless your goal is to do to them what they may be trying to do to you
