VPN question

[Justin Zygmont]

On Sat, 20 Dec 2003, Fraser Campbell wrote:

> On December 20, 2003 01:15 am, Justin Zygmont wrote:
> 
> > Just a thought about VPN's and a hope to get back on topic to fun linux
> > things, I was wondering if anyone knows why an encrypted VPN is so
> > important using a phone line when it's usually just a point to point link
> > with no chance of interception?
> 
> If you're talking about a private phone line dialed onto a private network 
> then I think you have to be doing some pretty serious data pushing to worry 
> about encryption ... if you're sending credit card numbers,  tax records or  
> business secrets -- and if it's possible that someone would know that you're 
> doing it and find value in the information -- then it's probably worth 
> encrypting for the little overhead involved (cpu utilization for vpn-type 
> encryption at modem speeds would be a pittance).  If your phone line usage is 
> sporadic and doesn't involve much sensitive information then I wouldn't see 
> the value in encryption (though I suppose with such low overhead, why not?).
> 
> If however you're phone line is connecting to the Internet then encryption 
> becomes more important.  Let's say your data travels through 10 different 
> networks (pretty common) to get to it's destination, anyone with admin access 
> (or at least wire access) can potentially intercept your traffic.  If you 
> care about your traffic being private at all some encryption just makes sense 
> ... encryption can be at the app layer (ssh, https, secure imap, etc.), at 
> the network layer (vpn) or at both the app and network layer.
> 
> If by bringing up phone lines you're meaning the old argument of cable being 
> shared versus DSL not being shared then I don't agree that any distinction 
> needs to be made in that respect ... either way you're connecting to the 
> share network known as the Internet.  Also, last I had Rogers, it appears 
> that my cable connection was switched (I only saw my own traffic and 
> broadcast traffic.

I see, that clears things up quite a bit.  

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