Stay safe on Wi-Fi networks

2009/09/12

LAPTOPS and smartphones have become travel necessities.

And to get online, people are increasingly taking advantage of wireless (Wi-Fi) networks at airports and hotels.

There is opportunity to go online even while you fly as more aeroplanes offer passengers Wi-Fi connections in-flight. While offering convenience and flexibility, Wi-Fi networks are also easy entry points for crooks looking to steal your money, account information and identity.

Your business or holiday trip could be ruined in an instant by cyber-criminals who steal your personal information. Imagine stepping out of the plane, ready to start work, only to realise that between “here” and “there” your bank account has been wiped out and your credit card information stolen.

To avoid such a situation, Norton, from Symantec, an online security company, provides five tips to stay safe while on the Wi-Fi.

l Pay attention to your surroundings. Remember, if you can read his magazine, the guy sitting next to you on the plane can also read your laptop screen! l Beware of “Evil Twins”. Some Wi-Fi networks appear to be legitimate but are not. Criminals can create “dummy” networks or Web sites that contain the name of the airline, hotel or airport, but actually will direct your information to their own computer. If you always use the access keys provided by the airline, hotel or airport, you’ll be protected. l Always assume your Wi-Fi connections are being eavesdropped on. Never enter sensitive data (bank account information, social security numbers, for example) when browsing the Web via a Wi-Fi network l Set any Bluetooth devices to “hidden”, not “discoverable”. If you do not use the Bluetooth function, turn it off. l Keep your security software current and active. Remember, mobile PCs are vulnerable to the same viruses, Trojans, and worms as your home computer. — By CHANDRA DEVI RENGANAYAR