Insecurity at public internet 'Hot Spots'
Written by Brenden   
Monday, 17 April 2006
A lot of businesses are starting to provide wireless 'hot spots' for their customers use.  What people don't realize is security is of no concern to these businesses.  They will spent more effort to censor your web experience than provide any sort of security.

What are the risks?

The main risk is that you fire up your device and it connects to get your email.  In most places that means anyone can get your email passwords, and sadly with those they may be able to break into your computer as well (good hints in there for user passwords). 

A smaller risk is that it's possible for someone to play man in the middle with SSL webpages, and in theory get all your credit card information as well.

What can I do? 

  • Make sure your email program isn't setup to auto start and check your email.
  • Do not purchase goods from the web while connected to a public hot spot.
  • Make sure your wireless connection is firewalled and not setup in Ad Hoc mode.
  • If you don't need any windows networking functionality while connected wirelessesly, turn off those services on the wireless card (that'll do a lot to keep out the snoopers).

That's about all I can think of at this time, I'm sure more will come along.