Dec
12
If you ever use public Wi-Fi service to access the internet, you may find the USA Today story Watch out for the ‘evil twin’ when using public Wi-Fi interesting as it discusses some of the latest security issues.
Here is a summary…
ISSUES
1. Computer criminals are now setting up “free public wi-fi” access points (in the vicinity of common access points) to lure unsuspecting users. In turn, the computer criminals are able to view each users activity and potentially their usernames, passwords, and files.
2. Computer criminals are now scanning local wi-fi traffic to view each users activity and potentially their usernames, passwords, and files.
SOLUTIONS
1. Ensure your firewall is on.
2. Ensure you are tapping into the correct network by asking the barista etc. what the exact name of their network is.
3. Assume someone is watching everything you do online, therefore do not enter or view you would not want the whole world to know about.
4. If you must access sensitive info, only do it through a virtual private connection (VPN).
