| You've set up your Boingo account, you're | | | | between applications.Hot Spot Security: Less |
| hanging out at the Home Turf sports bar in | | | | Simple StuffBeware the Evil TwinOtherwise |
| LAX and you figure you'll do a little | | | | known as 'Rogue Hotspots' or the 'soft AP |
| business or check your e-mail while sipping a | | | | attack' this Wi-Fi version of the e-mail |
| Chardonnay. Well, that's the point of Wi-Fi | | | | Phishing scam is perpetrated by hackers who |
| hotspots; being able to take care of a few | | | | jam and mimic the signal and SSID of a |
| things while in a relaxing atmosphere.Don't, | | | | legitimate hotspot. They then serve up a |
| however, get so relaxed that you ignore | | | | sign-in page garnering usernames, passwords |
| security and give all your confidential | | | | and, in some cases, credit card numbers. If |
| information to some unscrupulous hacker. | | | | they go so far as to allow a connection to |
| Yeah, you see the guy. He's over in the | | | | the Internet they're then in the position to |
| corner wearing that fake nose and glasses | | | | intercept unencrypted traffic as well as any |
| with the ridiculous Bozo the Clown cap. Yep, | | | | files open to sharing (Don't Share!).There |
| drinking a Blatz. Dead give away.Sorry, they | | | | are a few things you can do to protect |
| won't be that obvious, I doubt they ever | | | | yourself from 'Evil Twins':Don't set your |
| drink Blatz and very seldom wear clown caps. | | | | Wi-Fi card to allow automatic connection to |
| When you're thinking back, trying to remember | | | | any available network.Check the list of |
| who was around when your password was stolen, | | | | available SSIDs to make sure you're |
| you probably won't remember the woman in the | | | | connecting to the right one.Turn off the |
| tastefully tailored business suit, and if, by | | | | ad-hoc mode allowing other clients to connect |
| chance, you do, she won't be the one you | | | | directly to you.Turn off your Wi-Fi card |
| suspect. The best defense is to implement | | | | entirely as soon as you're finished.Use the |
| some simple security practices and measures | | | | personal or enterprise version of |
| that will safeguard your business and | | | | 'AirDefense', whichever may be |
| personal information.Hot Spot Security: | | | | appropriate.Although a firewall won't keep |
| Simple StuffBe aware of those around you.When | | | | you from connecting to an 'Evil Twin' it will |
| you're considering Wi-Fi security in public | | | | help to safeguard your information should you |
| places one of the first safeguards is | | | | inadvertently fall victim.Encrypt |
| anything but high tech. Remember a few years | | | | Confidential InformationData that's |
| ago when people were getting huge phone bills | | | | transmitted between yourself and a secure Web |
| because someone was watching as they keyed in | | | | site can be counted on to be safe from the |
| pass codes? It's still happening to Wi-Fi | | | | Starbucks Snidely Whiplash so when you're |
| network subscribers. Do what you can to keep | | | | purchasing goods, or banking on-line, you can |
| prying eyes from your keyboard and screen. | | | | do so without fear. When you're logging onto |
| You pay good money for your monthly | | | | the secure portion of the site, however, you |
| subscription and there's no reason to let | | | | may be doing so without the protection of |
| anyone piggyback or steal your credit card | | | | security so be careful to note whether or not |
| number as you sign up for a daily use fee at | | | | the sign in page is secured (https).When |
| Starbucks.Speaking of passwords:Those of us | | | | sending e-mail there are a few things you can |
| who toil and travel are prime targets for | | | | do to safeguard yourself. For example, |
| those who may be of the persuasion to | | | | instead of using Outlook or Thunderbird, take |
| purloin. In other words, it's quite possible | | | | advantage of your ISP's Web interface which, |
| to be targeted for laptop theft. Use a | | | | in most cases, will be secure and should |
| complex password to protect your files, | | | | protect your data during transmission.If you |
| folders and laptop from access by those | | | | frequently encounter the need to send large |
| villains of concourse and lobby.Don't | | | | files via e-mail then using a compression |
| Share!Yes, I know, mothers have been telling | | | | program will meet your need to reduce the |
| us to share for centuries but, at least while | | | | size of the file and most compression |
| using a Wi-Fi hotspot, make sure you disable | | | | programs will also secure the data with |
| file sharing. It might be great for the home | | | | encryption.Another option is to use a free |
| and good at the office but it's disaster in | | | | encryption program like Cryptainer LE. |
| the making at your favorite coffee house.Use | | | | Cryptainer LE can encrypt any or all the |
| a Personal Firewall.If you're using a | | | | files stored on your hard drive, protecting |
| corporate laptop make sure you talk to your | | | | them in case your laptop is stolen or |
| IT department before you install any | | | | compromised, as well as allow you to e-mail |
| firewalls but if the laptop you're using is | | | | them with the security of encryption. |
| your own let me suggest downloading a copy of | | | | Cryptainer PE is also offered for enterprise |
| ZoneAlarm. There are others of course but, | | | | applications.Use a Virtual Private |
| for personal use, since ZoneAlarm is free and | | | | NetworkThink of a virtual private network |
| seems to test better than the rest I can't | | | | (VPN) as a solid conduit, or tunnel, between |
| see a reason to recommend another.Most of the | | | | your laptop and your company's network. By |
| reasons for using a firewall should be | | | | using a VPN your communications will be as |
| self-evident but, to say the least, you'll | | | | secure as they would be if you were sitting |
| want to be made aware of any traffic coming | | | | at your desk. |
| or going and any unusual communication | | | | |