1. While the account that you log into is secure, the process of logging into the account is not. If you are using a cell phone or a hot spot, the information that travels from your computer to the actual connection itself is being broadcast between point A and point B. All you need is the equipment necessary to intercept what is being broadcast between the two points. We would travel around the US and overseas locations and test how good our own security was at various bases - and in most cases, it was none too good.

2. When I got out, the only connections that were easily avaialble were modem connections using a telephone. Telephones are really really bad for sending information in that anywhere along the line they can be tapped, leagaly or otherwise. I am on a cable modem know, and while that can be tapped, it is somewhat more difficult.

3. A telephone can intercept anything within about a meter of its location, but since most people do not know how long a meter is, 3 feet will do the same trick. Most computers that are sold to the public are what we call "dirty" in that they have nothing built in them to sheild the transmissions that they put off. At one time I was sitting on the third floor of the agency and we have just uncrated some new computers when they drove a RV loaded with all sorts of good gear into the parking lot a good 1/2 mile away. We had one guy looking over our shoulder with a two way radio and the guy out in the van was reading it back as fast as we could type it. Needless to say, those computers got packed up real fast and shipped back to where they came from. Even with a clean computer (they ran around $10,000 a pop back in the early 90's) if you set a telephone next to it, it acts like a transmitter and can be used to pick up what you type as fast as you type it.

Of course, someone has to want to get the information, but all it takes is some basic knowledge, some basic equipment, and someone who wants to make some money not quite so legal.

A hot spot would be an ideal place for someone to just sit and troll for what ever comes across for a say a week and then move onto anohter location.

If it is easy and free, then there has to be a catch. This is the catch.

Remeber, there is no such thing as a free lunch!

Buy me a few drinks at the convention and I will tell you some stories!

JOhn