You've set up your Boingo account Jordan Howard Jersey , you're hanging out at the Home Turf sports bar in LAX and you figure you'll do a little business or check your e-mail while sipping a Chardonnay. Well, that's the point of Wi-Fi hotspots; being able to take care of a few things while in a relaxing atmosphere.
Don't, however, get so relaxed that you ignore security and give all your confidential information to some unscrupulous hacker. Yeah, you see the guy. He's over in the corner wearing that fake nose and glasses with the ridiculous Bozo the Clown cap. Yep Mitchell Trubisky Jersey , drinking a Blatz. Dead give away.
Sorry, they won't be that obvious, I doubt they ever drink Blatz and very seldom wear clown caps. When you're thinking back, trying to remember who was around when your password was stolen, you probably won't remember the woman in the tastefully tailored business suit Roquan Smith Jersey , and if, by chance, you do, she won't be the one you suspect. The best defense is to implement some simple security practices and measures that will safeguard your business and personal Spot Security: Simple StuffBe aware of those around you.
When you're considering Wi-Fi security in public places one of the first safeguards is anything but high tech. Remember a few years ago when people were getting huge phone bills because someone was watching as they keyed in pass codes? It's still happening to Wi-Fi network subscribers. Do what you can to keep prying eyes from your keyboard and screen. You pay good money for your monthly subscription and there's no reason to let anyone piggyback or steal your credit card number as you sign up for a daily use fee at king of passwords:
Those of us who toil and travel are prime targets for those who may be of the persuasion to purloin. In other words, it's quite possible to be targeted for laptop theft. Use a complex password to protect your files Khalil Mack Jersey , folders and laptop from access by those villains of concourse and 't Share!
Yes, I know, mothers have been telling us to share for centuries but, at least while using a Wi-Fi hotspot, make sure you disable file sharing. It might be great for the home and good at the office but it's disaster in the making at your favorite coffee a Personal Firewall.
If you're using a corporate laptop make sure you talk to your IT department before you install any firewalls but if the laptop you're using is your own let me suggest downloading a copy of ZoneAlarm. There are others of course but Akiem Hicks Jersey , for personal use, since ZoneAlarm is free and seems to test better than the rest I can't see a reason to recommend another.
Most of the reasons for using a firewall should be self-evident but, to say the least, you'll want to be made aware of any traffic coming or going and any unusual communication between Spot Security: Less Simple StuffBeware the Evil Twin
Otherwise known as 'Rogue Hotspots' or the 'soft AP attack' this Wi-Fi version of the e-mail Phishing scam is perpetrated by hackers who jam and mimic the signal and SSID of a legitimate hotspot. They then serve up a sign-in page garnering usernames, passwords and Walter Payton Jersey , in some cases, credit card numbers. If they go so far as to allow a connection to the Internet they're then in the position to intercept unencrypted traffic as well as any files open to sharing (Don't Share!).
There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from 'Evil Twins':
Don't set your Wi-Fi card to allow automatic connection to any available network.
Check the list of available SSIDs to make sure you're connecting to the right one.
Turn off the ad-hoc mode allowing other clients to connect directly to you.
Turn off your Wi-Fi card entirely as soon as you're finished.
Use the personal or enterprise version of 'AirDefense', whichever may be appropriate.
Although a firewall won't keep you from connecting to an 'Evil Twin' it will help to safeguard your information should you inadvertently fall ypt Confidential Information
Data that's transmitted between yourself and a secure Web site can be counted on to be safe from the Starbucks Snidely Whiplash so when you're purchasing goods, or banking on-line, you can do so without fear. When you're logging onto the secure portion of the site Riley Ridley Jersey , however, you may be doing so without the protection of security so be careful to note whether or not the sign in page is secured (https).
When sending e-mail there are a few things you can do to safeguard yourself. For example, instead of using Outlook or Thunderbird, take advantage of your ISP's Web interface which, in most cases David Montgomery Jersey , will be secure and should protect your data during transmission.
If you frequently encounter the need to send large files via e-mail then using a compression program will meet your need to reduce the size of the file and most compression programs will also secure the data with encryption.
Another option is to use a free encryption program like Cryptainer LE. Cryptainer LE can encrypt any or all the files stored on your hard drive, protecting them in case your laptop is stolen or compromised, as well as allow you to e-mail them with the security of encryption. Cryptainer PE is also offered for enterprise a Virtual Private Network
Think of a virtual private network (VPN) as a solid conduit, or tunnel, between your laptop and your company's network. By using a VPN your communications will be as secure as they would be if you were sitting at your desk.
Mac OS X? Wholesale Bears Hats , Windows? 2000 and Windows? XP have built in VPN clients and if you're a user of Windows? 98, ME or NT you can download the free Microsoft? L2TPIPSec VPN Client from Microsoft?. If you're a Linux user you can download the free SWAN VPN client.