I am by no means a computer wizard, but I do enjoy sharing what I have learned when the opportunity presents itself. I thought a Tech Tip might be good blog material, and help others at the same time. If you ever have a question, I’ll do my best, if I don’t know the answer I’ll say. I will never be condescending due to a question, I dislike people like that, those technicians who feel superior to us mere computer using mortals.
I was enjoying myself reading on Views and Mews this morning, and noted that some might not know of the dangers of free public WiFi hot spots. Many places have them now, book-stores, coffee-shops, restaurants, doctors/hospitals buildings and many more.
Free Wi-Fi hot spots can save on data usage if you’re on a limited cell phone plan or afraid you may go over your data allowance. They are great for the tablet or laptop you may have with you that doesn’t contain cellular capability (connecting through your cell phone account). If you are going to take advantage of free WiFi, refrain from going to sensitive places such as your bank, utilities, pay-pal or email.
When using free WiFi access, these venues are many times not “secured” with encryption. You don’t even need a password to connect. Those that do use a password are marginally more secure, but I still would not trust my sensitive information on a pretty much open network. When you connect using an open network that doesn’t need a password, your passwords you type in, or that your browser types (auto-completes) for you are generally sent in “plain text”. This means some kid, or adult with a free program could listen in on your connection and actually see your passwords and record them for later use.
This practice of sniffing the airwaves at free hot-spots used to be very popular by criminals and geeks looking for a thrill, but has faded over the last few years thank goodness. With users being more security conscious these days, it isn’t worth the effort and time for the thrill seekers to do. Criminals however, will put forth the effort to cruise coffee shops and other venues to scan for passwords in the open.
Again, while it is not a popular method as it once was, I still would not tempt fate and connect to sensitive sites while using free public WiFi.
Comments/Questions Welcome,
Thanks for the link. I’m never sure what people are doing on their computers at those places. Maybe playing games is safe.
Could you touch on how secure a home WiFi might be. I realize there are different WiFi systems… systems? Our WiFi is in our modem for our internet service provider and has a password. It is encrypted… I know very little about all this stuff I am only going on terms I have googled, the “stuff” modem guy said and questions CH has and questions I have. Would it be wise that even on a home WiFi to handle sensitive information on our cell’s service? Or can I just hook up to our good old WiFi and stop worrying about what BIL said. We live rural and there is noBODY close to us… is that a good thing, too? I am truly clueless with this WiFi.
Your home wifi should be fine if you are using security on it. If your BIL was referring to home wifi and stolen passwords, that did occur some years ago. Standard practice for many back then was they bought their own routers for wifi. Not many people knew how to set them up properly with all the settings so it ended with Most just plugged them in and away they went, with no encryption or passwords on them.
It’s hard to find one now that doesn’t have the security turned on since it is one button to push. Plus no one near you reduces chances also.
I lost my comment. Thank you so much, Ron! I feel comfortable with our WiFi with your comments. Your comment, second paragraph to Retirementally Challenged is the answer I was wanting to know. Super sensitive stuff… on our cells through our cellular provider. I have some apps to add. Appreciate this post so much!
You are very welcome, sometimes I get too wordy trying to explain something. I’m always ready to try again though if I don’t get it clear. 🙂
It was clear!
Thanks for the reminder. The convenience is definitely outweighed by the risk.
Thanks for your comment.
OMG, thanks so much for that, Ron! It never crossed my mind; I just didn’t know they could do that. How devious some people can be!!!
Thanks for the comment Ellie, People can think up some of the craziest things to try.
How nice of you to post this info for us non-techies. When I’m traveling, I often stay in a private residence that has WiFi with a password (just like we have at home). Is that typically safe?
If it has a password to access it, then it is safer than one that is totally open. However, always keep in mind if a place doesn’t change that password enough, then someone may know that password, and can sit in the parking lot and be on the same network as you and possibly sniff from there.
Best practice is to do any banking or ultra sensitive stuff from your phone connected through your cellular provider, or a cellular connection if your device can connect that way. Save the free wifi for simple surfing.
Thanks for the comment.
I hear you!
I’ve mentioned this to people and they thought I was making it up!
Also, the Cloud can be hacked! People thought I was making that up as well. 🙂
I don’t care much for the cloud. Again it is a matter of preference and convenience. The “cloud” is a misnomer. It really isn’t out in the ether like they make it sound, but the cloud is simply storage space on someone else’s computer servers. So the cloud is only as secure as the people running the servers. I could set one of my machines as a server and let you store information on it, and it would be considered “in the cloud” but it is actually only on a machine somewhere other than your home, that you can access at any time.
If you want an irony and show how not-so -secure the cloud is. One of my websites often gets “hits” from hackers trying to run a program to guess passwords or locate specific files on one of my sites to try to corrupt. They actually rent/lease space on Amazon cloud services from which to store and launch their programs from. LOL. So it feels weird trusting my stuff stored on machines that hackers use to try to hack other people. 🙂
Note: Amazon is not the only cloud service that gets used, I just used them as I have seen the attacks from there. But other cloud providers have the same problem.
I was aware of the danger in using public wifi connections, but it never hurts to be reminded. ANY tips you have for us regular people would be welcome from time to time.
Thanks Anne, knowledge is power as they say. I appreciate your comment tonight.
I caution my wife against doing this with her tablet. (I never do it)
She was recently in a restaurant where the wi-fi password was printed on the menu, and in a cafe where the password was ‘password’. The providers might think they are helping customers, but they don’t know who else is sitting in there spying on their stuff.
Best wishes, Pete.
You are right Pete. Just a few years ago it was VERY dangerous to do it and most people weren’t even aware of the dangers.
Simple surfing is okay, but anything involving a password could be intercepted.
I think it was around 2006 or 2007 when I put on a demonstration at our church to help educate the members to be sure and secure their home routers with encryption and be safe when using free wifi areas. Thanks for the comment tonight Pete, always a pleasure to see you.
Thanks Ron. I suspected this might be true but now you have confirmed it. I shall take your advice on board.
Your welcome Brigid, thanks for the nice comment.