Vacationers Prime Targets for Cybercriminals

With more and more people using Wi-Fi-enabled devices -- from iPhones to netbooks to standard laptops -- the need for public Internet access is steadily growing. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are very aware of this fact and, according to Fox News, are exploiting it to the best of their ability. By creating phony Wi-Fi networks in places such as hotels and airports, crooks target carefree vacationers who are more more worried about hitting the beach than they are network security. This nonchalance can often find travelers the victims of identity theft.

Wireless security company AirTight Networks conducted a study last year in 27 airports around the world, and the results are borderline horrifying. For instance, the baggage-handling system at JFK International was being run on an insecure network. Other airports' ticketing systems were similarly run on insecure networks. Of the airports that did use encryption, 80-percent of them used the easily cracked WEP standard, as opposed to the more secure WPA and WPA2 protocols. AirTight contacted several airlines regarding the loose security in early 2009, and thankfully, airlines such as American and JetBlue have been swift to remedy the situation.

When using publicly available Wi-Fi spots, it's best to take extra precautions before logging on. Security company Symantec has offered Fox News a few tips on repelling such attacks, such as shutting off Bluetooth, making sure your device is up-to-date with security patches, and never entering sensitive data on public networks. We'd also like to suggest investing in a 3G modem if you travel a lot and/or deal with a large amount of sensitive documents while not at home or in the office. [From: Fox News]

Tags: free wifi, FreeWifi, identity theft, IdentityTheft, networking, phishing, security, top, travel, wifi