You've set up your Boingo account, you're hanging out at
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 point of all this; 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 guy. He's over in corner wearing that fake nose and glasses with ridiculous Bozo Clown cap. Yep, 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 woman in tastefully tailored business suit, and if, by chance, you do, she won't be one you suspect. The best defense is to implement some simple security practices and measures that will safeguard your business and personal information.
Hot Spot Security: Simple Stuff
Be aware of those around you.
When you're considering Wi-Fi security in public places one of 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 Starbucks.
Speaking of passwords:
Those of us who toil and travel are prime targets for those who may be of persuasion to purloin. In other words, it's quite possible to be targeted for laptop theft. Use a complex password to protect your files, folders and laptop from access by those villains of concourse and lobby.
Don'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 home and good at office but it's disaster in making at your favorite coffee house.
Use 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 laptop you're using is your own let me suggest downloading a copy of ZoneAlarm. There are others of course but, for personal use, since ZoneAlarm is free and seems to test better than rest I can't see a reason to recommend another.
Most of reasons for using a firewall should be self-evident but, to say least, you'll want to be made aware of any traffic coming or going and any unusual communication between applications.
Hot Spot Security: Less Simple Stuff
Beware Evil Twin
Otherwise known as 'Rogue Hotspots' or 'soft AP attack' this Wi-Fi version of e-mail Phishing scam is perpetrated by hackers who jam and mimic signal and SSID of a legitimate hotspot. They then serve up a sign-in page garnering usernames, passwords and, in some cases, credit card numbers. If they go so far as to allow a connection to Internet they're then in 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':
