Wireless transmissions, by their nature, can be intercepted very easily. Our wireless network was designed for ease of use, and thus is not encrypted or password protected. You have the responsibility to make sure that your data is kept secure and that you use secure protocols for any sensitive material. We take no responsibility for any information that is compromised by the use of our network. For more information, consult our security resources, below.

The following services we consider to be secure:
  • SSL-based Web sites (using 128-bit SSL Encryption)
  • Secure Shell (SSH)

With all other services available on the NewburyOpen.net, you should assume that someone can intercept the contents. These services include:

  • Non SSL-based Web sites
  • Web-based forms
  • Email (via POP or SMTP)
  • Instant Messaging

Also, the following services have been disabled on the NewburyOpen.net because they are serious security risks not only for you but also for your organization. Information, and most importantly, your authentication (username and password) are passed in plain text.

  • FTP (Port 21)
  • Telnet (Port 23)

Also, make sure that your computer does not have file sharing active. Other users on the network may be able to access your files if you do.

Technically, we allow the following services:

  • HTTP
  • POP3 and SPOP3
  • IMAP and SIMAP
  • SMTP and SSMTP
  • SSL/HTTPS
  • SSH
  • Kerberos

Please contact us at security@newburyopen.net to request other ports to be opened for use. We will evaluate every request individually based on the security risks.

Our wireless printing service by PrintMe.com does SSL-encrypted secure transfers of your print jobs.

Some services using non-standard port numbers (like Filemaker Pro, Citrix Metaframe, and other custom services) do work on the NewburyOpen.net. Always make sure that your services use encrypted authentication before you use them on an Open Network.

More Security Information

An educated user is a secure user. Please take the time to learn about wireless security from your IT administrator, staff, or other publicly available resources:

WEP security flaws, UC Berkeley (i.e. why we don't use WEP)
O'Reilly Network's Wireless Security Topic
Secure Mac's guide to DSL and Broadband Connections

Many broadband ISPs (including names like AT&T Broadband) do not encrypt traffic on their connections, allowing all users to have access to the unencrypted traffic on your network segment, which may include dozens of users. The security issues of wireless networks apply to wired public networks as well, so all users of the Net should be aware of these issues.

If your Internet use requires a greater level of security, you would be better served by using a wired connection to the Internet or using other software tools (like Secure Shell) to protect your information. It is your responsibility to keep your data safe, whichever network you use. While we are concerned for your data, we cannot accept any responsibility for any information that is compromised by the use of our network.

We consider any use of the NewburyOpen.net for spamming or any illegal activities to be contrary to the spirit of the Open Network. Be considerate of the Open Network. If you abuse it, the Open Network will go away. If you spam from our network, we will hunt you down (you have to be on Newbury Street and so are we).

Other Quickstart Topics: Free Wireless, Internet Café Hours, WiFi Forum