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It seems unlikely most users on the Internet could even parse your suggestion, much less execute it. That doesn't make them stupid, just not experts in the sub
by benblack 16y ago
It seems unlikely most users on the Internet could even parse your suggestion, much less execute it. That doesn't make them stupid, just not experts in the subject. Instead they rely on experts, like you, to make the right choices for them in these esoteric matters. While there are any number of ways you might solve this problem, HTTPS is the best available option since clients and servers already support it. As ericflo is pointing out, a small number of sites deploying HTTPS would go a long way to achieving the goal of a more secure Internet for all.
- boyter 16y agoI totally agree. In those cases I usually point people in the direction of TOR and the like. The orginal poster just asked if HTTPS was the only way to get around Firesheep, and the answer of course is no it isn't. I still think HTTPS is the best way forward (never said anything to dispute that), but right now if you want speed (tor is slow!) and still want be safe, a SSH tunnel is the way to go. Besides, anyone reading Hacker News is probably comfortable with creating a SSH tunnel, or learning how to do so :)
- _stephan 16y agoGetting a VPN account from some service like witopia.net is not rocket science. People just need to be educated that they need a VPN account if they want to use a publicly shared network without compromising their privacy. (Of course, as boyter pointed out, a VPN connection doesn't protect you on the general internet, but it does protect you where you're most exposed.)