How to Be Safe Online — In Public Places
Most people llike going online at the local coffee shop, the airport
or the hotel lobby; but most people don't know that going on the
Internet in those places (called "hotspots") isn't as secure as you
might think—or as safe as you need it to be.
The reason? A public Wi-Fi/wireless connection is designed to
provide an easy way for anyone in the immediate area who wants to go
online to do so. To make that happen, the security measures are a lot
lower. In a lot of places you don't need a password; at other places,
there might be a password, but just about anyone can get it.
What's a hotspot? A hotspot is any location where a wireless network
(also called Wi-Fi) provides Internet access to the public—places like
airports, hotels and coffee shops. Hotspots have grown in number, and
grown more important, as more people have shifted to laptops and
smartphones.
Are you always at risk?
The answer is yes, and no. If you're online in a coffee shop,
surfing away without much concern about security, you're safe if
everyone else online there is a nice person and just enjoying free
Internet. (And quite honestly, that could often be the case.)
But that all changes for the worse if there's just one person logged
into that same wireless network who is 1) savvy about network security
(or the lack of it) and 2) actively preying on people who don't know
their information is up for grabs. It's not personal; it's simply fun
and games for them.
Make no mistake about it: there ARE a lot people who think it's okay
to intrude on your privacy and see what you're doing online. Some
snoops do it with computer technology; others will actually (and
quietly) video your computer usage with their smartphone!
Here's what it comes down to: if there's a Wi-Fi snooper nearby,
most anything you do online can be seen and captured by his or her
computer. Your Google searches, your usernames, your private emails...
it's all out there for the taking. So, if you sit down at the wrong
place and at the wrong time, and you might be telling your secrets to
the nice looking young man (or lady) next to you.
How to protect yourself.
With your personal information and privacy at risk, her are some
tips for what you should and shouldn't do when you're online at a public
hotspot.
Name that Wi-Fi. This is important. In a hotspot, be suspicious of
wireless networks on your device that show up with names like "Free
Wi-Fi" or "Free Hotel Wi-Fi." Some hackers set up their own wireless
networks with fake names to trick you into logging on. Find out the name
of the hotel's or airport's Wi-Fi network ahead of time and log on to
it.
Avoid using passwords. According to the experts, hackers can track
your keyboard activity and get your passwords, even though they can't
actually see them. There are software programs you can download designed
to hide your passwords (look for them online); but it might be better
to avoid activities where you're using passwords to log-in to your most
sensitive or important accounts.
Don't let your guard down. You might be lucky and not run into
online snoopers when you're in a public hotspot. But your luck could run
out one day. ANY TIME you're online in public, your data is out there
for an online intruder to see. Think of it like talking on the phone.
You wouldn't give out private information so others around you could
here you. Do the same online—be discrete!
Let your computer help out. Both Windows and Mac OS X (those
computers' operation systems) come with security features that can help
protect you. Find the computer's security settings and take steps to
enable your firewall (which is like putting up an invisible fence). This
will actually help block out all incoming traffic, keeping intruders
out.
Look for the "s" for security. Any time you're on a webpage, look at
the address bar (above the web page) and the website's name. If you see
"https" right in front, that Web site is encrypted, which means you're
data can't be read in transmission. If you see only "http," that site
isn't secure. You might also see a small "padlock" symbol in front of
the web address, which is a good sign.
Save it for later. To totally eliminate any chance of being tracked,
try to avoid banking and looking at confidential information when using
a public network. Why take any chances? If you must, make sure the
sites are secure. Remember, you can often do banking transactions by
phone. (Just don't talk too loud!)
Virtual Private Networks
If you don't want to limit your online activity but still want to be extra safe, looking into a
virtual private network or
VPN.
By downloading VPN software, you will be protected from hackers even if
you're online at an unsecured hotspot. You'll pay a small fee for the
VPN service, but the protection and peace of mind will likely be worth it.
And about your IP address.
In case you're wondering about the
IP address
your using on at a hotspot, it's whatever the IP address is for that
wireless network... and everyone using that particular Wi-Fi is sharing
the same IP address.
https://www.ritavpn.com/blog/how-to/
https://www.ritavpn.com/blog/vpn-tech/
https://www.ritavpn.com/blog/news/
The Wall