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Just How Risky Are Public Wi-Fi Hotspots?
Here's what you need to know: Public hot-spots -- most of which are open and don't require a password -- are, by nature, insecure. Sure, they may be easy and convenient to hop on from your computer, but that very openness is also what allows anyone, including hackers, to just walk in and sign on. In other words, when you're signed on to a public Wi-Fi hotspot (or at an unsecured network at your or someone's private home), it's entirely possible for someone to come along and snatch your data, literally out of the air.
Luckily, there are some essential precautions you can take to protect yourself when you're in a public hotspot. First and foremost, get a good firewall program -- not the one built into Windows or Macs, though. Most security suites from Norton, McAfee, and others come with one, and you can download free ones from the likes of Zone Alarm and Comodo. These apps are designed to prevent hackers from gaining access to the data on your PC, and will block and alert you to any attempts to wirelessly access your computer.
However, these programs do not protect what you send out over the air (like passwords) when trying to get access to your bank account online or credit card information when making online purchases. The biggest piece of advice we can give is not to make any transactions involving a credit card at a public Wi-Fi spot, and don't log into any service that doesn't use https to secure your data traffic. You can easily identify such sites by looking at the address bar in your browser, since they'll begin with "https" instead of just "http," and they encrypt all information being passed back and forth. Even most e-mail services such as Gmail offer this as an option -- just check the settings panel.
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At home, securing your info is easier, but requires more steps. First, make sure you have a good wireless router that has a built-in firewall (most new ones including those handed out by ISPs do) and supports the latest security protocols -- WPA2. There are three methods of protecting your data on Wi-Fi, WEP (easily hacked, but still better than nothing), WPA (better), and WPA2 (best). Most modern routers support WPA2 and you should use it, with the highest level of encryption possible (256-bit).
If your router only supports WEP -- as many older ones do -- then get a new router, seriously. An additional measure is to turn off the SSID (or network name) broadcast in your router's settings. This will prevent other computers and devices from seeing your network automatically, though dedicated hackers will still be able to locate it. Also, change the default password on your router to something long and complex -- avoid dictionary words and mix letters, numbers and special characters to prevent anyone from easily guessing the password (for more tips on choosing a secure password, see '5 Tips on Keeping Your PC Safe').
The 'Today Show' makes a big deal of wardriving, an old trend in which hackers drive around neighborhoods looking for open Wi-Fi networks to steal data from. But the practice is far less prevalent than the show's reporters would have you believe. And if you follow our suggestions, such data thieves will likely pass your network by in favor of a less secure one that will make a much easier target.
Safe surfing!
Related Links:
- 5 Essential Tips on to Keep Your PC Safe
- 12 Ways Technology Threatens Your Privacy (and How to Protect Yourself)
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Comments
32
Subscribe to commentsCaptiveNov 2nd 2009 12:33PM
Someone doesn't have to be in your driveway to pick up your wireless internet signal. There's actually simple devices that can be built out of a soup can and some wiring, and designs all over the internet, and these can pick up signal from 3-5 miles or more away. I work tech support and we deal with these issues all the time. Another thing to watch out for is that some ISPs have limits on bandwidth usage. Wildblue satellite internet (the company I work for) is one of these in particular. If someone is using your wifi signal, and downloading or uploading massive amounts of information (depending on your bandwidth limits, even so much as a few movies, or spending a lot of time on youtube can do it) there can be penalties from your ISP ranging from fees to your service being slowed, to your account being canceled if it gets bad enough. Just because you're isolated doesn't make you safe from hackers. And yes, there are people who put effort into finding wifi signals to connect to for free. I've actually gotten calls at my work from people like this, giving other people's usernames because they found their wireless network and are looking for the password, or asking how to connect to wireless networks they've found when they are on a dial up account. You should always take internet and computer security seriously, no matter where you live or what type of connection you have.
rann948Nov 2nd 2009 12:05PM
How can someone "not be sure" that they use their laptop in coffee shops? LOL You either do or don't.
steamyjunglemanNov 2nd 2009 12:32PM
I find the comments so much more entertaining than this article. Just to make it clear, one of the ways that people can get your information isn't by having magic hacking skills. On an unsecured connection, even a wired network, simply using a packet sniffer will show in plain text every detail of a packet that is unencrypted. These are not hacker tools, but can be utilized by such. I am a networking student and have to use these in my studies, but there is nothing special to it. Just follow good security precautions when you are on any network, and if you don't know how to set up a router find someone to do it for you. For those who say this article is trying to push products, don't be silly.
hanser36Nov 2nd 2009 12:35PM
I find the comments so much more entertaining than this article. Just to make it clear, one of the ways that people can get your information isn't by having magic hacking skills. On an unsecured connection, even a wired network, simply using a packet sniffer will show in plain text every detail of a packet that is unencrypted. These are not hacker tools, but can be utilized by such. I am a networking student and have to use these in my studies, but there is nothing special to it. Just follow good security precautions when you are on any network, and if you don't know how to set up a router find someone to do it for you. For those who say this article is trying to push products, don't be silly.
vintagehoodooNov 2nd 2009 1:08PM
Ok...So...if people are stupid enough at this point to -not- use security...it's their own darn fault. It's that simple. I mean...seriously. When I was in high school we were taught basic security and wifi was -just- making it into the world. (We were still using 4mbps external cards with antennas sticking out of them). It's common sense...you lock your safe, your car door, your home...why would you leave your computer open? and if you do, it's -your- fault for being either stupid or being naive and thinking that A. it won't happen to you or B. people aren't really that evil.
JoeNov 2nd 2009 1:09PM
It makes me feel sad that "most public hotspots are, by nature, insecure." One would think that since they are built to be out in public and interact with people on a regular basis, that they would be self-assured and confident. It's another matter entirely that most hotspots are also not secured!
computers suckNov 3rd 2009 11:34PM
I often wonder how legal it is to get into just open network web.. none of their data just the web to surf. At the same time if there is free wifi hotspots then there must be some kind of leeway. As for anti-virus's firewalls norton and mcafee are the worst for everything including firewalls. Norton is a virus it acts like one and even ones that HAVE bought norton and mcafee soon pay a price that takes ages to fix. Uninstalling is a laugh when it comes to those products, there is a component that stays in your computer making it hell to install a different brand anti-virus. Firewall's go for zone alarm. It goes into the details of who is trying to hack, their phone numbers, address from the hacker you name it. It's a pain to set up but once it's set right it's good.
wilmayNov 2nd 2009 1:37PM
Trivia Question: What is the country's biggest provider of Internet service. Answer: Linksys.
Network Stumbler is a great program. Drive around for about 5 minutes and you'll see at least 50 networks. The average is 50% of networks are unsecured.
About being in the country, I was in a small town and got three networks. I pulled in a carwash next door (a big "cantenna"), and got 10 networks.
DianaNov 2nd 2009 1:47PM
D1ncharge,,,,,,You start your comment whith 'you idiots' ? Who do you think you are any way, to talk to others you dont even know like that? It takes one arrogant person to think other people cant possibly be as smart, or maybe even smarter than you. The basics of being smart, is manners, they do come first. At home, and work, with friends, everyone a person comes in contact with on any given day. A intelligent person knows the first in being 'smart', is to always use manners first. Try it and see, it works every time.
BillNov 2nd 2009 7:38PM
Trivia Question: What is the country's biggest provider of Internet service. Answer: Linksys.
Network Stumbler is a great program. Drive around for about 5 minutes and you'll see at least 50 networks. The average number of networks detected and unsecured is 50%.
About being in the country, I was in a small town and got three networks. I pulled in a carwash next door (a big "cantenna"), and got 10 networks. One of the signals was for a store/network a half a mile away.
Michael BaconNov 3rd 2009 1:36AM
I know of companies that have switched to "flexible working" practices that advocate using coffee shops and free WiFi.
If two-factor authentication is used (e.g. RSA token) over an SSL tunnel, the level is security should be acceptable for most corporate and personal information.
A personal firewall is a good idea too, but few companies will go to the expense of buying a specialised one when their OS or AV program offers one for nothing.
As ever, you need to assess the risk. Just as not everyone is a baby-snatcher, not every WiFi hot-spot has a hacker sipping an ever-cooling skinny latte in the corner. Figures suggest that it's more likely that the laptop will be stolen ... or accidentally left behind than the WiFi link be intercepted - so investing in a HD encryption program may be more worthwhile than installing a personal firewall.
[The views and opinions expressed above are exclusively those of the author speaking in a private capacity.]
fakeemail3000Feb 4th 2010 8:20PM
I just hacked onto my neighbors WIFI and am currently using their firewall as I write this message. :"D SSL/HTTPS/AND MAC FILTER YOUR FIREWALLS EVERYONE! Or I will come and get you.
Oh and btw, any decent hacker (not some kid with an arp cache poisoner) will know how to bypass and strip your SSL to gain access to your bank/email/paypal information.
I am coming to get you.
-Hackface 3000