Dear CNET members,
Happy Friday! This week's topic is Jon's security concerns
over using public Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity)--whether using
trusted sources like hotel chains, retail book stores, or
coffee shops are safer versus using open networks not managed
by major retailers. Pay attention because there is a lot of
great information provided by our members that will help you
become more aware of the concerns of using Wi-Fi access
points. Let's get started.
No doubt, public Wi-Fi access is awesome. I personally use it
all the time when I'm on the go and the convenience of it is
second to none. However, as many members have pointed out
--using any Wi-Fi access point, whether it is from a trusted
retailer or not, is a risk. I like how member Hyort simply
puts it: "Sending messages over Wi-Fi is kind of like sending
messages by smoke signal. You're connected through an open
access point, anybody who can see the smoke can read your
message." And it is so true. While you can protect your
stored information on your computer by having all the right
security utilities (firewall, antivirus, etc...), what's
being transmitted/broadcasted over the airwaves can be
captured (unless that transmitted data is encrypted). The
information reads like an open book. So a good rule of thumb
is unless you are using a VPN (virtual private network) to
transmit personal data across a Wi-Fi network, except when
absolutely necessary, don't transmit anything that you
wouldn't write on a postcard and send out for the world to
see.
We have many great member answers for you--ranging from the
"don't do" on ensuring your safety for using public Wi-Fi to
some general good practices. So read up and learn! If any
member has additional tips or suggestions about accessing
public Wi-Fi safely, please join us in this week's discussion
and share a little about your public Wi-Fi experiences--good
or bad. The more we advise one another, the more we'll be
safer and confident when using public Wi-Fi services. Thanks
everyone! And have a great weekend!
Cheers!
- Lee
Got suggestions? Send me an e-mail: messageboards@cnet.com
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I have heard much about how Wi-Fi is not secure. Yet last
week a news report lead me to believe that the problem is
when people log into Wi-Fi networks where the
administrator/company is unknown and unscrupulous as they can
see what you are doing and then steal passwords, credit card
numbers, and so on. The report inferred that a Wi-Fi network
is OK if it is from a trusted source like your known hotel
chain, Borders, or Starbucks where the network manager
wouldn't do that--we assume anyway. Is this true that the
problem comes from is who is running the network or are all
Wi-Fi open networks easily open to hackers and theft? A
follow up question, would a Wi-Fi network from a trusted
source with a simple access password for all (even if given
to a hacker) stop all the problems? And are there actual ways
that one can securely use public Wi-Fi networks without
worries of hackers and possible theft of personal
information? Thank you.
Featured member solutions
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