Public Library Censorship of websites

[AltTabDelete]

This city's Public Library system offers free internet access via WiFi. However, it appears that the library's IT section categorically denies access to any website associated with Freeware/Shareware to comply with city policy. This includes Sourceforge.net. Tor won't work either. Suggestions for getting around this?

[Eadwine Rose]

Use your phone's internet package to make it a hotspot, then connect the wifi of the computer to the hotspot.

[CharlesV]

Or try a VPN ( you should not be using public wifi without a VPN imo anyway . )

There are a few different VPN's in the MX Package Installer - and you can search for recommendations using the search here in the forum upper right.

[AltTabDelete]

@CharlesV I've been putting off using a VPN because it seems you must put all your trust in the VPN provider. Guess I'll have to look into it.

@Eadwine Rose I was hoping to avoid using my cell phone data for downloading MX Linux .iso files at 2.47 Gb each.

[CharlesV]

@CharlesV I've been putting off using a VPN because it seems you must put all your trust in the VPN provider. Guess I'll have to look into it.

This is why I like PrivateInternetAccess or ProtonVPN. Both are very good about not being a problem.

But when your in a public location, your not only subject to the host, your also possibly subject to anyone ON that network! Not safe!

[CharlesV]

Some good reading if your concerned (and good on you for being concerned! !)

https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/most-secure-vpn

https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-vpn/

https://proprivacy.com/vpn/comparison/most-secure-vpn

[timkb4cq]

I pay for a VPN for the times I'm on shared wifi, but a quick, free way would be to use Opera's built-in VPN.

[siamhie]

But when your in a public location, your not only subject to the host, your also possibly subject to anyone ON that network! Not safe!

NetworkChuck on YT just put out a video called 3 Levels of WiFi Hacking and uses an internet cafe as his backdrop.
In the video he demonstrates what happens when you use a VPN to hide your traffic from the hacker.

[CharlesV]

46 seconds of blech - link please if you see one longer or with substance.
Edit: I found the real video .

There are ALWAYS ways to hack wifi .. but it is one thing to be wide open and quite another to have a VPN. And frankly, if you dont know how that your connecting to the wrong wifi - you should not BE connecting to any. (Or limit yourself to no REAL data going across!)

It is NEVER a good idea to do banking, do anything that is financial or "real' or even read email on an unknown wifi / network - however, some times its going to happen and be as safe as you can be.

[AVLinux]

Hi,

You can't overstate how important security is on public networks that's for sure, and I never use them because I'm fortunate to have a good phone plan.

I had a commercial VPN mostly because it allowed connection bridging and for a short time of contract overlap I had 2 ISPs.. anyway... My online banking wouldn't work with the VPN on, Discord wouldn't work with the VPN on, Imgur... yes Imgur wouldn't work with the VPN on so I let the subscription go. I visit about 4 forum sites and Youtube none of which are sketchy and the fact that my own bank didn't trust the VPN proxy made the only high security operation I cared about useless.. The Morale of the story is not to avoid VPN's it is to try a LOT of them out with your regular net activity before commiting to a contract/subscription..