WARNING: Don't Connect Devices to RV Park Wi-Fi!

Think TWICE before you directly connect your devices to an RV Park's Wi-Fi system!!! This will help...Build a Private System for Under $100: outsideourbubb...
BTW...I am talking about devices such as content streamers and printers. Not only can these devices be accessed as shown, that also leaves them open to hacking and thus being used for other things. Like a friend of mine said so well....You know, all the rampant worms and hacks that are going on all over the internet which enslave IOT devices ( printers, tvs, routers, rokus, printers ) for coordinated attacks on other networks, or, the more common thing now is crypto currency mining on those devices for someone else's profit.
I did not even get into all the computers, tablets and phones I could see as I was only showing devices to make it easy to understand. The firewall in your computer is for that computer, not other devices and that may not even be setup correctly. So you really want to be behind a hardware firewall to separate yourself all together from the parks network.

[@WentworthCCTV]

It is shocking how many campgrounds don't even have L2 isolation....you are so right.

[@bounderchris]

I’m an IT and I can tell you some hilarious stories because of oversights like this... even some spooky camera related ones.. this is definitely great advice. I have the Winegard ConnecT which is a WiFi/LTE antenna. Besides the LTE being ridiculously priced by Winegard ($20/Gb) the WiFi works very well and I was very surprised by the router that came with it. It’s not great on programmability but it’s reception is amazing. It’s in the cabinet above the drivers seat and I can park the rig in front of my house and still connect to it throughout my house all the way into the back of the house.

[@bginn3448]

Thank you! Just got our new 5th wheel and learning to backup (-: But, this was one of my questions. So thank you for posting

[@llamiell]

Still relevant. I had my printer connected to an rv park wifi to test the ink and to see if it still worked. Next thing I knew I had 10 to 15 business pages from SOMEONE ELSE'S rv come through. They selected the wrong printer. I was so confused. This clearly explains how that happened.

[@joycebarnett5813]

WOW I would have never known that if you did not share this. Thanks for making this so understandable. You are the best. Thank you for the info to keep us safe.

[@Camden0203]

Good information. I was not aware. I have a router in my rig and will make sure that I stay behind my own Firewall. Thanks

[@elainemarie9470]

Thanks a bunch for the heads up! Yikes. You'd think this would be simple common sense for setting up a network, it makes me wonder if it was done on purpose. Can an interloper also mine for data in such an unprotected WiFi environment? In other words, not only control the input, but also use the pipeline to go into the other devices to see personal information stored or recently accessed via the unintentional party line? For old timers like me, you'll get my inference. Oh boy, those were the days! Gossiping was golden. Because I'm a senior citizen, I don't have the automatic mindset to manage technology and subsequent safety issues. For example, I noticed that merely adding a new device on Bluetooth, made my phone "visible" to everything in my vicinity. Perchance any idea how far this range is, how much vulnerability I have as a result, and if it is a two-way street? Much appreciation.

[@Alan62651]

Thst is the more important vulnerability. Everyone loves the shock value of "Internet Porn," but someone stealing your bank account info is going to piss you a lot more than someone streaming porn to your printer or Smart TV.

[@RVHabit]

Great info. I have my own router in my rig that connects to park wifi then my devices connect to my router. It's easier that way too. Happy travels, Lou.

[@dbphillips1978]

RV Habit I'm no tech guy. How's that work, what kind of router do I need?

[@RVHabit]

DP Thatsme there are several options for the RV. Mine is a signal booster that connects to a wifi signal then it rebroadcasts the wifi signal on its own router that is in your rig. There are expensive choices like Winegard or WiFi Ranger. I have a very price friendly option called Alfa Camp Pro Kit. I have had it almost 2 years and love it.

[@dbphillips1978]

RV Habit awesome, thanks for the info.

[@twdenman1]

Great information David. I had no idea how to set up private router. Thank you again. Ted

[@DavidBott]

Hi Ted...I hope you had seen the link I had to a tutorial on building one for under $100. If not, here you go... outsideourbubble.com/secure-private-rv-wi-fi-and-making-a-better-park-connection-for-under-100/

[@twdenman1]

For sure! I'm purchasing a new computer, Notebook, and WILL set it as as you show in your Tutorial. Thank you so much.

[@lawrenceconstantine7735]

Your a good boy putting out the info thank you, David and Brenda,

[@DavidBott]

Welcome Lawrence.

[@higg1966]

The future Rick Rolls will be epic!

[@millerfly1]

Great advice, can you show what brand router you use and how you configured it to connect to park wifi and hide your endpoints behind it? Maybe you can start an IT blog too.

[@DavidBott]

Here you go... outsideourbubble.com/secure-private-rv-wi-fi-and-making-a-better-park-connection-for-under-100/

[@garyhanson4133]

Very good advice. I'm going to have to check a few things as my knowledge of WiFi and networks I built are 8 years old. About time to learn some of this new stuff, and implement it. Thanks

[@DavidBott]

Your welcome. It is kind of important as you can see. :) I did a tutorial on setting up a private wi-fi system in an RV for under $100. It uses all commercial gear.

[@garyhanson4133]

I use sonic wall top create a vpn which as you know isolates me as you recommend, but I believe it uses WEP for the RF guns. So I need to see what is new to keep these RF guns isolated. Thanks for info on cameras as well. I need to call them as it doesn't look like they do a 70 camera system, or I'll have to do a multiple system. Snowed up here so enjoy your warmth :-)

[@ericball6652]

I am currently using the more user friendly Pepwave Surf On The Go. I upgraded its 5db antenna with a 9db antenna. I could probably use the Ubiquiti, but I would have to mount on the roof and run cable to the inside. I also run VPN on my phone and laptop in case I need to connect to a public network.

[@DavidBott]

Eric Ball Pepwave makes some good stuff. It's a good choice.

[@TheWesman45]

You are concerned about exactly the wrong thing. No one should care about some kid streaming two girls one cup two their Apple TV. The real hazard with open networks is personal device access. Think cell phones, laptops, and other computers with sensitive personal info on them. If I were an enterprising young hacker and wanted to hit a lot of old people(not tech savvy by in large) with disposable income. This is just the sort of network I’d be interested in. The real message here shouldn’t be rely on external firewalls and protections. It should be on securing own devices no matter what network you are on.

[@Alan62651]

Absolutely. Protect your laptop or any portable device that might hold financial information, not your printer or your Roku. Phones can be nasty data leaks.

[@bounderchris]

Hey David, I’m at a park with poor WiFi and I’m trying to help the owner, what was the company you were talking about that was fairly new and made good equipment? Trying to get him to dump these Hawking repeaters.. Thanks!

[@MikePowlas]

That is why we are putting in WISP systems so no one can see the others in the park or campground.

[@StudioDaVeed]

I have an actual wireless router from US Cellular. While I have not done so; you can connect a phone to it also. (It has its own dedicated number.)

[@donjohnson2639]

1:54 “Do it!!” “I double dog dare you” 2:15...Lol !

[@firemarshal17]

They announced at our RV resort this year that someone printed their tax return and it printed on eight printers throughout the park

[@DavidBott]

Doah! Well that goes to show ya!

[@brianhubbard7606]

Great advice! Keep the rubber on the road.

[@iggykonrad8368]

We seldom use a parks WIFI, instead we use a mobley which is password protected private network. The advantage is we can use the mobley any place we have an AT&T signal rather sitting in a park or going down the road. I've been using it for about a year now and have had no issues. Depending on the cell signal strength we have gotten from 3mbs down load to over 30mbs. Once while staying in a motel we got 50mbs. We can connect up to 10 devices.

[@AKRichardM]

Good info! You did a great job with your Ubiquity video. I have a similar setup and have pointed many people to your video. It's way easier than me explaining it to them. I have run into one park that was still running WEP and that is contrary to Ubiquity's security model. I ended up having to down grade the firmware to connect to the wifi. But that was the only one out of maybe 40 parks...

[@DavidBott]

Amazing what poor gear RV Parks are still running this day and age. That protocol was removed MANY MANY years ago by thew Wi-Fi association. So the gear is either very old or does not abide by the Wi-Fi Association standards.

[@bounderchris]

There is a lot of new equipment that will still allow WEP for some reason. I have come across some old devices usually handhelds used in inventorying etc that will Only connect with WEP.

[@texal]

Hey I never send porn in RV Parks I always send the A-Team theme !

[@DavidBott]

:) Ok, Like that one!

[@terrenceking5855]

I love it when a plan comes together

[@psl767-camping4]

great info to know. more stuff to learn to keep myself and family safe

[@1RodeoMom]

I love what a Geek you are!! Please don't take offense everything you show us is very valuable. Thank you for sharing!!! Again more great info from you....... LOL! at the end...:)

[@2009mechanic]

For $60.00 I can get a 90 day portable hotspot through Verizon with a maximum usage cap on it of course. I'm not using mine for streaming movies , just all other stuff on the internet. I can drive anywhere I get a good signal from their towers and no problems. I have the security settings on my mobile phone and portable computers set high enough that they will NOT let me connect to open public WiFi connections , not even in airports. There is a reason for that.

[@Alan62651]

Hot spots are trick. I use mine in Convention Centers, when the public networks are slammed with traffic.

[@dirkwiersma4691]

David love your channel. I have a Surf Soho by Pepwave and am unsure how to connect to our park's WiFi that forces me to log in through a captive portal. Any tips you have for that?

[@DavidBott]

Hi...I did a tutorial on how to make a secure private wi-fi for under $100, in that blog post I mention about dealing with captive portals. outsideourbubble.com/secure-private-rv-wi-fi-and-making-a-better-park-connection-for-under-100/ Below is the text able it. (Not sure if this is what you meant.) Dealing with Captive Portal or “Agree” Pages: Some parks require you to “agree” or login with a user name and password before you have access. So once you connect to the park with the NanoStation, while on your Wi-Fi network, the first time you open your web browser the “captive portal” page will come up asking you to agree or log in. Once you do, the portal will note the MAC address of the NanoStation and then allow access to anything on your local Wi-Fi network. NOTE: If your browser defaults to a open a webpage that is HTTPS (vs HTTP) then the captive portal can not show up as it is not HTTPS active. So be sure you are trying to go to a site that is not HTTPS. (Ie…Facebook, Google, GMail are all examples of HTTPS sites that people have their browsers default to.) So try another site…any site…maybe ours, and the captive portal page should come up for you. Also some campgrounds auto log you out after X hours or at the start of a new day. If this is the case you need to AGREE again. Just a heads up.

[@TheAdventuresofMrMrsB]

Didn't know any of that. Thanks for sharing.

[@SueTay.]

This is an awesome video... kept my interest :) Thank you for sharing.

[@jeffmetter8036]

David, can you please recommend a router, not the high end router you use? I want to walk into Best Buy or go on Amazon and buy a simple low cost router. I have a Verizon Jet Pack and a Wee cell phone booster as well.

[@suzyq3746]

Excellent info. Thanks for explaining that for us.

[@DavidBott]

Welcome. People don't know what they don't know. :)

[@wildandliving]

The problem is the tv makers made it that way cant turn it off even if you want it off so you cant accidently click over. Very anoying feature when you click it by accident

[@mariebarnes8067]

Hi, David I like this video great. I wanted to know what I would need to get to keep my network private? I hope this is not a silly question, I have a dish king satellite and the wifi pro booster. Help!!

[@DavidBott]

Hi...I got you covered. Here is a link to make one. :) outsideourbubble.com/secure-private-rv-wi-fi-and-making-a-better-park-connection-for-under-100/

[@brandoncaldwell95]

I done that in the hospital.. Its just as bad, just i keep my privacy set and noone sees my stuff.

[@lauraruiz-miner6680]

Thanks for sharing this info.

[@DavidBott]

Your welcome.

[@sky173]

Great info. So say we all.

[@TwinTailTerror]

i dont do much comments but.. im a hacker, it was actually my JOB C.E.H and N+ (guru) you should really tell ppl the real danger no REAL hacker is gonna stream porn to you.. but if i was bad id connect drop a "call back" command and basically turn you into my slave no matter where you go. it stays sso i can find / use you . or steal all your data or both streaming to you is my LAST thing on my mind maybe a 9 yr might do that .. the real ppl steal info, turn you into a nuke bot or use you to mine crypto, steal personal info then use that to infect your friends and have there bot armys grow. thats what will really happen.

[@DavidBott]

Totally agree. Just telling people in a way they may understand as most people as not very tech savy. So saying I can send content to their device, be it a TV or a printer, works better than saying...Oh..I can setup a "Call Back" and make your device my bitch. :-)

[@VanlifewithAlan]

My experience is that most parks have pretty weak Wifi anyway!

[@MrRustyBob]

Maybe a bit off topic, but how do you cast to fire tv ?

[@johnsonlongman64]

Dood, your awesome. I tell people the same thing.

[@rationalbushcraft]

So? You need the password to cast to any of those devices. If your device is set up properly to firewall on public networks and you don't have any incoming ports open seeing the device name is not a risk. Better to know how to properly set up your device than never use a public network.

[@DavidBott]

Hi...By default, such devices are not protected as the point is ease of use. These are normally only used in a home where you would already have a private network running. They also do not have a firewalls in them as again the point is to be able to access the devices without issue and the ports need to be open to do that. :) Thus the issue created when used on such public networks. I did not say to never use one, I said you really want to use protection if you so choose to do so by using a router in between as a firewall.

[@Keverw]

It would be so annoying to change your TV, game console, laptop, phones, etc to the new network every time you move. So another plus for running your own internal network with a repeater. I was thinking of going with the WiFiRanger as it's all in one package and step by step it seems.

[@DavidBott]

Hi...Yes, you are correct that having your own network makes it MUCH more easy to keep things connected. Even a Wi-Fi printer for example would be great to have. Here is a tutorial I did on building one for under $100 using commercial grade parts. MUCH LESS money than the Ranger and has a much longer range for you to connect to a RV Parks AP. (Or somewhere else if needed. Or to your JetPack or phone.) outsideourbubble.com/secure-private-rv-wi-fi-and-making-a-better-park-connection-for-under-100/

[@Keverw]

Easier to just use wireless than running ethernet all over, and then hiding the cabling so it looks neat. Even in the sticks and bricks, most houses don't have whole home ethernet.

[@livinglifemyway7349]

Good news, but How do you connect your own router to the park's wifi? for us dummies who do not know. Thanks!!!

[@DavidBott]

It is listed right there in the description how to build one. :) But here you go... outsideourbubble.com/secure-private-rv-wi-fi-and-making-a-better-park-connection-for-under-100/

[@mjg3267]

Got Comodo firewall? That fw stopped fake software, really malicious software from adding a whole bunch of stuff on to chrome and my HD! Comodo, block and terminate. windows 10 was clueless of the activity. Hardware fw in a router is even better but not bad for free.

[@rjr1227]

thank you.....great to know

[@Slickshapiro13]

You don't need to use all the apostrophes

[@SeanBrennan007]

Love the videos, great content.

[@DavidBott]

Thanks Sean

[@ericvaneck4296]

Could you use a specific device without your person information to connect to a park WiFi, also wouldn't your firewall stop anyone from getting into your computer?

[@DavidBott]

I am talking about devices such as content streamers and printers. Not only can these devices be accessed as shown, that also leaves them open to hacking and thus being used for other things. You know, all the rampant worms and hacks that are going on all over the internet which enslave IOT devices ( printers, tvs, routers, rokus, printers ) for coordinated attacks on other networks, or, the more common thing now is crypto currency mining on those devices for someone else's profit. I did not even get into all the computers and phones I could see as I was only showing devices. The firewall in your computer is for that computer, not other devices. As such you really want to be behind a hardware firewall to separate you all together from the other network.

[@windycityl]

Good to know thanks. 30 Yrs ago been saying woo hoo oh hell ya he he.

[@cmh2111]

Your advice is good, however you cannot just randomly Chromecast.

[@DavidBott]

Hi ya C MH....Sure you can. Chromecast does have an open feature. It is used all the time for example in conference rooms where people can just cast their screen to a TV in the room or projector. (Or whatever) So unless someone locked down their Chromecast, it just might be able to be used. More or less, if you are on the network, you can use it.

[@jackmason7518]

Good morning. So should one get a router that connects to the Wi-Fi and you connect to your router. Jack

[@DavidBott]

Hi...Sorry if I did not make that clear. Thought I did. Even had a link to be able to build one for under $100 with a tutorial. You could also buy one like from Winegard or Wi-Fi Ranger (Both are costly.) But yes, that is what you should do. If the RV Parks Wi-Fi is poor, you then can even connect it to the SSID of the JetPack is you would like. Thus all devices stay connected to the same SSID always. Here is the link to a blog post and toturial I did a few years back... outsideourbubble.com/secure-private-rv-wi-fi-and-making-a-better-park-connection-for-under-100/

[@davidlgunns616]

So here's what you do. Film yourself in an alien mask. Make an announcement that you control all televisions and you are planning on invading Earth in 30 minutes. Cast that video to all the outside systems. Watch hilarity ensue.

[@Rocki5pr]

Well; ... now I have something new to do next time I'm bored in a campground --- kidding (and I mostly boondock so rarely in campgrounds)

[@randybrandon6312]

How can I contact you I own a small rv park and am getting hi speed fiber internet and I want to set it up

[@DavidBott]

Hi Randy... OutsideOurBubble.com and use the Contact Us link. This also this video may help when you think about it.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/baiUZ36lgJinnas (A Better Understanding of RV Park Wi-Fi)

[@amberditta]

thanks for that pal from england

[@jgjg3848]

How did you get the "play on tv option" on that youtube video? I don't have that option, I have full screen, theater mode, setting and closed captions. Showing it on my tv isn't even an option. How did you get that?

[@DavidBott]

Hummm....LOL....Never gave that any thought. It just is their. I am using Chrome. Here is what Google Help says about it... support.google.com/chromecast/answer/3228332

[@327h7]

Public WiFi is like public bathroom . You use it only in emergency .

[@patrickeh696]

This 2018. Who the hell doesn't know to NOT connect unprotected devices to unsecured networks?

[@DavidBott]

LOL...You would think that right. But nope...Most people have no ideas on how any of this works. I even have seen "Kids TV" show up as a source...Now that could turn out to be really bad. One time I connected to an HP Printer and sent a note, "Just a friendly note that it is not a good idea to connect Wi-Fi Printers to a parks network. As you can see, I can use it." :)

[@minvonuk]

David very good advice! What if I used a vpn service, would I be protected?

[@DavidBott]

Not unless such devices can run a VPN client which they likely can't. So you would have to use a router anyways to use a VPN and your devices would attach to that.

[@n4zou]

The real problem is you are using Windows. Windows was designed to make access to your computer by the NSA very easy. The problem with that is it allows Hackers easy access as well. People, Stop using Windows! Linux distribution's are free and secure. You can connect to that WiFi hotspot and secure all your devices through that connection using safe and secure Linux network protocols.

[@jeffzeman2121]

Windows? Seriously? ... and what video were you watching?

[@n4zou]

Windows is designed to be hacked by the NSA and every hacker out there that wants into your machine. That includes through every router ever produced. What you do is load a Linux operating system in your router that has an NSA proof firewall and you a Linux operating system on your computer so hackers can't access it via it's WiFi connection to the router.

[@kirkgroeneveld3191]

While unrestricted access may be bad, I wouldn't worry about others sending Porn to your TV or device. Don't forget, you have what's known as an on-off switch...which means you need not worry about watching what others MAY be sending to your device! Needless fear mongering. (Not saying that the system isn't set up wrong...it's just making people worry for no reason...)

[@RealRocdad]

ROFL!!!! This guy is so full of crap trying to explain the porn he got caught with!

[@latinotruthseeker8852]

Robert O'Connor lol

[@franklinmc4457]

Get a good VPN that runs on all your devices.

[@chandankarlapudi6435]

You could use a VPN

[@DavidBott]

Sure you could...But most RV'ers have idea idea what that is and it still would not help you unless all your devices are on the the same encrypted VPN if connecting a printer or what have you to a parks Wi-Fi. This was more or less a teachable moment video. Just the other day I sent the messages "It is not a good idea to attach your printer to a public Wi-Fi system with a photo of a cute dog." to an HP printer and included the URL to this video. The next day the printer was not on-line. :)

[@StarOne311]

Thank you David for sharing!!

[@kc0eks]

Clueless people on wifi are endlessly amusing

[@sailingsolar]

I guarantee you if someone sends porn to my TV I would know it.

[@LetsRVtv]

I have old MAC airport and an airport extreme. Can I install one in my RV and use it to connect to the park WiFi and broadcast it to my devices?

[@DavidBott]

Not unless you have a way to get that data into it as it does not do "Wi-Fi ad WAN". But you could setup a NanoStation like in my tutorial and connect that to the WAN port of the it once it is setup. See the link in the video description.

[@kathyfann]

I just want to use my ROKU

[@jackmehoffer7819]

Just a bit paranoid

[@mreastwood]

The ending hahahahahaha

[@DavidBott]

Hee Hee. You know I had to mess with someone. It was not porn, but I get get someone to turn off their Chromecast. You see, not only can you send a video to the Chromecast, but you can also add something to the Queue, or Start that video stopping the other, or just stop or pause playback. More or less you have control to do things not to mention seeing what KZbin video is playing currently. So I did stop the running 3 or 4 times. They had no idea I was stoping it after they restarted it. The bad new for me however is they likely thought the network was bad...and I built it! :) But they did give up and I had seen the device go offline. But yea, could have put anything on their screen. I also see printers people attach...I have been known to send a note to the printer saying "To Whom it may Concern....It is not usually a good idea to add a printer to a shared park network. For as you can see, I can print to it." :)

[@jazzelwood]

There is no need for the annoying background music

[@chargeuk6083]

Yikes Great infotainment

[@hondaridgelineenduser5934]

Lol I also block Google with _nomap at the end of my wireless router

[@charlessmith2282]

YAP YAP YAP SHOW PEOPLE

[@capt.davebertrand9296]

Way too fast......

[@johnnyricardo6006]

Lol u crack me up!!

[@DavidBott]

I try. Glad I am able to succeed. :)

[@userfromukraine5520]

SHUT UP THE BACK GROUND LOUD MUSIC

[@DavidBott]

Yeah, it did get up a little at one point. Sorry about that. My bad.

[@snsfabricating]

What if you like porn?

[@jamespringle9821]

Use a VPN.

[@DavidBott]

Not as simple as that seeing that such devices have no clue how to connect via a VPN. So you would need a router that supports setting up a VPN to do it. But if you have a router, you then do not have the issue. We are not talking about just your computer to a public network...we are showing that people are connecting peripherals to it.

[@radon360]

David Bott - James is right. While a router might hide all your devices on a subnet, the other problem is that your data is often in the clear. It's not that hard to use a packet sniffer program to read that out. As for SSL (i.e. https), a man in the middle attack can compromise this encryption scheme. A VPN will create a fairly secure tunnel to your other endpoint (which can be a VPN service). All anyone can see at that point is your computer, phone or router is passing encrypted data to and from that endpoint, even if they have inserted themselves into the connection between you and the Wi-Fi access point. The fact that people are going through the trouble of associating Chromecasts/Rokus/other internet appliances with a public network is another face-palming subject of its own, but I'd consider the rather juvenile trick of changing the stream a bit more innocuous than exposing your browser habits and personal information. One could jusy as easily walk the park with a universal TV remote and mess with the channel.

[@DavidBott]

Correct, and I did not say it was not. A VPN can protect you for other things. (I use them every day.) However that is NOT what this video is about, nor will a computer VPN help this in any way. It would need to have a router that is setting up the VPN tunnel as these devices surely would not have VPN clients in them. As such, in setting one up for that reason, you surely would then connect everything still to a router that will protect those devices from the local public network. (Which you can do for these devices with just a router without going though more steps of setting up a VPN.) A video on setting up a VPN would not be something for most on our channel. I would be flooded with questions for sure. :) This video is, and was meant to be, a quick and easy way to show people that they do not want to be connecting such devices to public networks. Not how to use a VPN etc nor how to better protect their browser traffic. Maybe another video sometime on it, but the issue is then you need to talk about services etc and how to use them, set them up, etc etc. And that all changes based on hardware or software used and then I would be even more flooded. Most of the readers we have are normal, everyday, nice people. Most do not understand tech as you and I or James may. (As you can see, they connect TV's to a public network, because you don't know, what you don't know.) Oh, and walking the park with a IR remote to change the channel, while funny, does not even compare to someone being able to talk over a device. I won't even get into the exploits out their that can infect such devices and make them useable for attacks or even bit mining which I am sure you know about. An IR remote can't do that. :)