Wi-Fi Safety

Wi-Fi hotspots can now be found all over, at cafes, convention centers, airports, hotels and other public places. This makes using your laptop very convenient, but it also exposes you to all kinds of risks.

The chief security officer of a firm that specializes in wireless security says that hotspots are ideal spots for the bad guys. The most dangerous hotspots are those at airports, convention centers, and hotels.  The security officer has found that 30 percent of hotspot users do not have firewalls installed on their laptops and about 24 percent never disconnect their systems after they finished.

Hotspots may be perfect for browsing when you’re away from home, but you should be very wary about using it for personal stuff. They are open networks and because they do not use any encryption, they are vulnerable to snooping.

Here are some safety tips to protect your computer.

* Avoid doing your banking on public networks. Again, personal stuff should not be done on public networks. When the network security is not reliable, try using prepaid credit cards.

* Turn off the ad hoc mode option. There are two options in Wi-Fi connections. One option is the infrastructure mode for establishing a link from your computer to a network, and the other is the ad-hoc mode for establishing a direct connection to another computer. When your ad-hoc mode is enabled, you are exposed to the possibility that a snooper or someone in the same hotspot can activate a direct connection to your computer without you knowing it. If you are inside a hotspot, you should ensure that ad-hoc mode is disabled.

* Store data in an encrypted flash drive. It is best for you to use a laptop with no data in it but only the operating system and other software applications. All of your personal data should be stored instead on a USB flash drive, preferably one that has encryption features. This ensures that even if someone is able to get into the computer, your data will be safe from them.

* Fortify your computer with a firewall. Your laptop is on its own inside a hotspot, so you must make sure you are protected. A good firewall should protect your computer from intrusions, and also protect against any malware that may be in your computer from making outbound connections. The XP firewall is not enough: it protects only against incoming intrusions.

* Use only legitimate hotspots. Some scammers set up bogus hotspots in public locations. When you try to connect, they will require you to type in personal information before you can log in. Ask the café personnel for the name of the hotspot before you try to link up.