Scam Alert: “Free Wi-Fi” at the airport may let hackers into your computer |
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There is no better place to people-watch than an airport. And now, with the increasing number of travelers packing laptop computers and surfing the Internet while waiting for flights, it is likely that the people watching you are not in the airport at all, but hiding on the Internet waiting for you to fall into their new trap. Here is how this new airport Internet scheme works: When searching for connections at large hub airports, consumers may see a network connection available that could be simply named “Free Wi-Fi.” Thinking it’s the free connection offered by the establishment, they’ll log on. Unfortunately, the network may actually be an “ad-hoc” network, or a peer-to-peer connection. The user will be able to surf the Internet, but they’re doing it through the hacker’s computer. And the whole time, the hacker is stealing information like passwords, credit card and bank account numbers, and Social Security numbers. Beyond simply stealing keystroke information as the user enters various types of data, if the PC is set to share files, the hacker could even steal whole documents from the computer. Airports across the nation continue to report on Wi-Fi security issues. Officials in Atlanta, New York LaGuardia and Los Angeles airports have all reported the existence of ad-hoc networks advertised as free Wi-Fi connections. An investigation revealed that Chicago’s O’Hare Airport had 20 ad-hoc networks present that were potentially designed with the intent of hacking into unsuspecting user’s computers and networks. To protect your information: • Never connect to an unfamiliar ad-hoc network — even if the name sounds genuine. For more information on how to distinguish between an ad-hoc network and a normal Wi-Fi network with Windows Vista or XP visit http://support.microsoft.com. • Make sure that your computer is not set up to automatically connect to nonpreferred networks. Otherwise your computer could automatically connect to the hacker’s network without your knowledge. • Turn off file sharing when you’re on the road to prevent hackers from stealing entire documents, files and unencrypted e-mail from your computer. • Create a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for your business. A VPN establishes a private network across the public network by creating a tunnel between the two endpoints so that nobody in between can intercept the data. Many companies allow remote users to connect to corporate networks as long as they use VPN. This keeps the users’ communications just as secure as if they were sitting at a desk in the building. The BBB is here to help with advice you can trust. For more information on identity theft, fraud prevention and keeping your company secure online, visit www.bbb.org. Nora J. Carpenter is executive director of the Better Business Bureau. For questions or comments about this weekly feature, go to www.askbbb.org or call the BBB at 342-4649 or (800)-218-1001 Jennifer Sasser 478--338-2469 Simplifying Lives and Securing Lifestyles HERE |
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Comments (2)
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| Wifi here in the US is pretty popular...well VERY popular! ~Jenn 478-338-2469 Simplifying Lives and Securing Lifestyles HERE  Group Administrator
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| Well, overhere in Germany many companies try to sell wifi (WLAN) stuff. I am already aware, that hotspots are not working well, that is a reason, that i don´ t have wifi, still on dsl. But the companies i am involved with, just developed a new chip. You can visit my business center here or view my group about ISP´ s, there are some links, so you can get some more information about the new wifi technology. regards from Germany, Peter |
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