[Discussion about internet security concerns snipped]

The issues of "spying" at your ISP or along the backbone are true, but
as mentioned, "highly unlikely" in the case of any reasonable service
provider without countless time on their hands.  Once a packet enters a
router, it can only (within reason) be intercepted along the backbone,
and filtered out of the countless number of concurrent connections
carried along that path - even considering a worst-risk scenario of a
static path (rarely true through the backbone).

The *real* risk is from other stations on the point-of-entry network and
point-of-exit network.  When you transmit a packet down the wire, it may
be seen by any other station on the same network unless you are
separated from the "spy" by a bridge, switch, or logical subnetting
barrier.  The same applies to the point-of-exit end, between the end
router and the destination host.

If you are on PPP or SLIP, you are safe unless the other end of the
connection is on a shared-media (non-switched) network, but only
vulnerable to access on-site at the other end (again, can you trust your
ISP).  PPP lines do not carry all traffic, only your traffic and
broadcast traffic of the attached network.

There are exceptions, but most require ISP or network manager access in
order to accomplish.  So again, you're relatively safe.

If your office is on a shared media hub, your activities are prone to be
seen by others in the office, perhaps on the same floor, perhaps the
same building, maybe the same company.  Likewise on the other end.  With
the current trend of switched networks, this risk drops accordingly.

Just to keep things in perspective...

Jeff Kell <[log in to unmask]>