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With security low to allow for public access, take steps to project your laptop in risky environments
By Sofia Santana
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Published on Monday, Jun 02, 2008
The FBI recently issued an alert warning that wireless Internet networks, often called Wi-Fi hotspots, are more vulnerable to hackers than most users probably realize.
Wi-Fi hotspots are at airports, fast-food restaurants, book stores, coffee shops, sports bars, school campuses, malls, supermarkets — just about everywhere.
For everyone to be able to access the networks, though, security has to be low. That means that often there is no password or registration needed to use the service, and e-mails and instant messages are not encrypted.
Those settings make it very easy for a hacker working from anywhere around the world to use computer codes to peek into your computer and steal sensitive information.
''It's a risky environment,'' said Derek Kerton, a computer analyst and consultant in San Jose, Calif. ''It's like we've left the door open to the house.''
But just like a steering-wheel lock or car alarm can deter a thief, an up-to-date firewall installed on your computer is the first line of defense against a hacker, Kerton said.
Firewalls, though, don't protect information sent to and from a computer, such as e-mails and instant messages, or IMs. So you shouldn't e-mail or IM when on a Wi-Fi network unless your workplace or other institution has given you access to a virtual private network, or VPN. The VPN is a secure network that encrypts information sent to and from your computer.
Victims often don't know that they've been hacked until their personal information or identity have been stolen.
Here are some tips from the FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on how to keep your personal computer data safe:
• Make sure your laptop security is up to date.
That includes firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Spyware is a kind of program that can collect information from your computer without your knowledge. It's sometimes used by companies that want to collect marketing information about people who log on to their Web site, but spyware has also been used by hackers who want to mine information from someone's computer.
• When using a public Wi-Fi service, avoid logging into financial accounts of any kind.
Hackers might be able to monitor your computer from another location to see what you are typing and steal your login information.
For the same reason, you also want to avoid logging into e-mail accounts and instant-messaging services.
• When logging on to a site, glance at the address bar to check that you're at an authentic Web page.
Hackers set up fake Web pages that look like the real thing to trick people into typing in their login information.
But you can tell which are the fake pages by glancing at the address bar. If the address is different from what you originally typed, don't enter your personal information. Close your browser and leave the Wi-Fi network.
• Don't use the same password for all your online accounts.
That way if hackers steal a password, they won't be able to use it at more than one Web site.
• Make sure your computer does not automatically log on to wireless networks.
You can do this by adjusting the Internet security settings on your computer. As an added precaution, turn the computer off when you're not around to ensure that it's not picking up a wireless network signal.
The FBI recently issued an alert warning that wireless Internet networks, often called Wi-Fi hotspots, are more vulnerable to hackers than most users probably realize.
Get the full article here.
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