Tips: Best Practices For Using Public Wi-Fi

  • Nov 16, 2007

AirDefense recently unveiled a list of ‘best practices’ for consumers to use to protect their identity, credit card numbers and other personal information while using wireless devices at locations offering Wi-Fi this holiday season. These spots include: airports, bookstores, coffee shops, convention centers, hotels, libraries and train stations. According to the Electronic Retail Association (ERA), consumers are expected to spend nearly $25 billion online at their favorite retailer during the holiday shopping season. Often times, consumers become unsuspecting victims of consumer identity theft and fraud as they let their guard down.

“Today, more and more consumers provide hackers with personal information through free, unsecured and pervasive WIFI offered by a growing number of venues and cities across the country,” said Dr. Amit Sinha, chief technology officer, AirDefense. “Though wireless hotspots are convenient and often times free or accessible by paying a nominal fee, consumers should guard their identity, credit card numbers and social security numbers as closely as they would their wallet or car keys.”

Consumers should follow this ‘best practices’ list to minimize risk during the online holiday shopping season:

Turn off the wireless card when not in use.

If shopping online, ensure that all wireless devices have their internal firewall and antivirus/malware turned on.

If forced to shop at a public hotspot, consumers should use online providers where they have existing accounts. This might prevent an attacker from getting all of a consumer’s personal information, such as billing address, name or credit card numbers.

Only log onto known wireless access points and do not bank or shop online with any frequency from a hot spot such as an airport lounge, coffee shop or library.

Beware of slow networks, browser error and/or transactions not working because many of these could show signs that someone is trying to take over the hotspot.

Use your corporate VPN to setup a secure tunnel when connecting at risky and open wireless networks before going on the Internet.

Enable phishing filters on your browser. Make sure you use the latest and patched version of Internet browsers.

Use prepaid wireless cards or accounts and register before you use the hotspot.

Avoid busy hotspots, as these are locations most desirable to setup attacks.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.