So, technical question (possibly a stupid one) for the hivemind:

my super lockdown work IT folks (who will not even allow you to access the website for gmail on the network) are talking about allowing people to use personal devices on the wireless network (currently, you have to take your device to IT to have them configure it, and they will only do it with company devices). If they open up the wireless network, will they be able to monitor the devices on it, i.e. if I'm on their wireless network with my iPad, can they, for example, access my password for gmail or track the websites I visit? Would it make a difference if they had to configure my device in some way?

They have access to all the traffic that passes through their network. However, anything you send that's encrypted, they can't get at it. So if you do anything on an SSL secure site (prefix https), you're good to go. Everything else from your browser is probably cleartext.

They will always know what pages you visit and what you post on them, should they care to pay attention. On a site like b.org they can gank your password if they want. But on gmail they can't.

So, if I'm using mail on my iPad, they can't see my password?

No, not if it's gmail or anyone reputable. That will be encrypted. They'll just know you're on gmail.

Ah, I see. we are not encrypted here, but there will have to be some effort on their parts.

Thanks for the info. These are the jackholes that were configuring my work laptop for use on my home network, but when they ask you to enter in your network password, it is the only time I have seen a password entry that is not protected with stars or whatever. It is quite deliberate and I called them on it. The tech I was working with claimed that he didn't know why the password was visible. I said "I find it odd, because the default for EVERY OTHER WINDOWS BASED PROGRAM is to hide the password."

I find it particularly disingenuous because they tell you that you don't need to provide your network password because you enter it yourself, but when they remote into your laptop to set up the wireless, they can see it.

ARGH. Gmail is trying to force me to switch to the new look. DO. NOT. WANT. I like the old one, and actively dislike the new one. Plus, you know that I don't like change!

there will have to be some effort on their parts

Don't bargain on that. It's not much effort.

Also, if they see you type in your password, change it right away. It's standard operating procedure for them to be exposed to passwords in their work, depending on how much of the heavy lifting they might be doing, but since you should be changing your passwords regularly anyway, I consider that level of tech involvement a reason for skipping ahead in my schedule.

I gave them my network and email password to configure my new laptop today, and first thing tomorrow, new one.

Have folks heard about lightfield cameras? Amazing stuff! [link]

Vortex,

gmail has tried to change me 4 times. I immediately click the button to change back. I think they are getting the message that I don't want the new look. I wouldn't care so much I suppose if I could have my custom-colored theme, but they don't have custom colors for the new gmail and I don't like any of the default options.

It's complicated and will throttle your bandwidth to a fair amount, but you could use your home computer as a proxy over a SSH tunnel which would encrypt everything you do.

I have no idea if you can SSH tunnel on an iPad though.