Beware the Free Public Hotspot
Posted in All Posts, Email Security, Online Security, Privacy, Safe e-Commerce, Wireless Network Security on January 26th, 2007Free Wireless hotspots are all over the place. They can be found in most any populated area. Tempting aren’t they?
Just beware. And be aware. They can be dangerous.
- Any and all data that you send over many of these networks is vulnerable to interception.
- Check your email, and some crooks may now have your email server address, user name and password,and send tons of spam in your name.
- Log onto your office network. And tomorrow, some creep logs in with your user name and password.
- Check your bank account? You may find it empty.
We don’t mean to alarm you. But it’s really worth knowing that using a wireless network can be risky. “Somebody” may be logging every bit of traffic. And that “somebody” may not have your best interests at heart.
But wait, there’s more: Even if the network itself is safe, it is all too easy for somebody to impersonate it and rout all your traffic through a proxy that logs all your surfing. So be careful out there.
Practice safe computing!
Sources:
