MX Linux Forum

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?

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

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.

@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.

AltTabDelete wrote: Wed Jan 10, 2024 4:30 pm @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!

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

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.

CharlesV wrote: Wed Jan 10, 2024 4:33 pm
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.

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.

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..