On Tue, Sep 11, 2012 at 12:36 PM, John A. Wallace <jw72...@verizon.net>wrote:

> **
>
> I am trying to figure out whether there is any point in using openssl on
> a home LAN between two computers. Would that improve on security in any
> way?  Would I be limited in the types of OS connections? I mean, could 
> Iconnect Windows with Linux? Also, if
> I want to make such a connection between two OS running in virtual
> machines, could that be done too? Thanks.
>
>  openssl, almost certainly not.  That is, unless you're planning on doing
some web development and/or hosting a website on your home LAN.  In that
case, you'd use openssl to make the certificates and keys necessary to
support HTTPS on your web server or application server, as well as to
create the CSR when it comes time to buy your domain name and then a more
useful certificate signed by one fo the commercial CAs.

But, if you use wireless connections between your computers and your
router/modem (whatever your ISP provided), then it is sufficient to secure
that connection, which is itself just a matter of properly configuring your
router and computers.  Your router probably came with instructions that
tell you how to secure wireless connections between your computers and the
router; possibly for Windows only, and possibly for Windows, and Linux,
depending on the quality of your ISP.

If all your computers can browse the web using your modem, it is possible
to get them to connect to each other also; but that falls into the realm of
knowing how to use your computers; especially how to configure them to work
together.  For information about that, Google is your friend, and apart
from that, your best line of support will be the support provided by
whoever distributes your OS (usually mail lists supported by whichever
Linux distribution you're using, and their FAQs).

Unless you're a web application programmer, you really don't need anything
other than the services of the operating systems you're using.

Cheers

Ted

Reply via email to