| Ahh, the joy of portable computers. Being able to | | | | internet at a hotspot. |
| grab a coffee, fancy pastry and sit down in a | | | | 7. Turn off the Ad-Hoc Networking This should |
| comfortable environment, and take in the energy | | | | already be disabled with most default Windows |
| of the others around you while getting some | | | | XP and Vista installations, but you should check |
| work done. Or getting some tasks completing | | | | anyway. Ad-hoc networking allows two |
| while you are waiting at the airport. Great | | | | computers to communicate directly with one |
| scenario, but most work these days involves | | | | another, without an access point between. |
| connecting to the internet, and how can you do | | | | Obviously not a good idea to allow in public. Be |
| that safely using public wi-fi? With a bit of | | | | certain you are using infrastructure mode, which |
| preparation and wireless security smarts, you can | | | | requires an access point. |
| get quite a bit of work done at that coffee-shop | | | | 8. Do Not Allow Your Computer to Connect |
| or airport. | | | | Automatically After you have connected to a |
| | | | wireless connection once, your laptop probably |
| 1. Be Smart Do not access sites that concern | | | | sets your network setup to automatically connect |
| your online banking, investments, or private | | | | when you are in range again. Check on the |
| activities that you might not want others knowing | | | | properties of each connection when managing |
| about when you are using Wi-Fi in a public location. | | | | wireless connections, and do not allow your |
| Thieves can easily sniff and see all data sent back | | | | computer to automatically connect to networks. |
| and forth from your computer through the | | | | Although it may take you more time to get a |
| internet. | | | | connection, it gives you more control and |
| 2. Be Aware of Low-Tech Thievery Be conscious | | | | awareness over your internet connections. |
| of your surroundings. Shoulder-snoopers can see | | | | 9. Disable Printer and File Sharing If you are used |
| the sites you are accessing and maybe copy | | | | to sharing printing and files at home or work, be |
| down your password. They may later contact | | | | sure to disable this feature before connecting at a |
| you with enough information to bait you into | | | | public wi-fi spot. Certainly don't want to share with |
| giving them more. | | | | others there. |
| 3. Use a Firewall Make sure you have your | | | | 10. Connect More Securely There are a couple of |
| Windows firewall active or that of another | | | | options here. One is to get a wireless access |
| company installed and active, such as Norton or | | | | card, so you don't need to use public wi-fi. This is |
| Panda, especially when you have wifi security | | | | an expensive option, but if you travel a lot and |
| concerns. | | | | need internet access out of the office, it might be |
| 4. Watch for an Evil Twin Attack Be certain that | | | | the way to go. It's a card you buy from a cell |
| the wi-fi you are connecting to is the legitimate | | | | phone provider, insert into your laptop, and |
| one for that spot. An internet criminal may set up | | | | connect through that cell phone company's data |
| one that has a name very similar to the hotspot, | | | | connection. A large part of the cost is the |
| and you may connect to theirs by mistake. Get | | | | monthly fee. Amother solution is to use a VPN |
| the correct name for the true connection at that | | | | Tunnel. If you are working for a large company, |
| location as an initial step to protect your wireless | | | | you probably connect through their Virtual Private |
| internet security. | | | | Network (VPN). This is a secure, encrypted |
| 5. Use Secure Email When accessing your email, | | | | connection and is a good way to go when |
| contact your ISP for their secure address. It | | | | connecting to the internet through a public access |
| should begin with "https:", not just "http:". This | | | | point. You can also set up your own VPN, |
| means that the site is using an SSL certificate so | | | | between your home desktop and your laptop. |
| that the connection is more secure, and the | | | | Your desktop would have to be connected to the |
| information is also encrypted so sniffers cannot | | | | internet through a cable and be on and connected |
| see the real data being transmitted. Be careful | | | | when you want to get online with your laptop. If |
| that the "https:" stays in the browser address bar | | | | you're interested, do an internet search for how |
| throughout your whole email session. Some revert | | | | to set up a XP VPN. In conclusion, public wi-fi |
| back to "http:" after you log in. | | | | connections are convenient, but be smart before |
| 6. Delete Your Cookies Cookies make it easier to | | | | you connect. Be aware of your surroundings and |
| log in to your frequently visited sites by | | | | what data you are sending and receiving. Save |
| remembering your username and password for | | | | the transactions that you wouldn't want to be |
| you, however, if you connect to these sites when | | | | viewed by strangers for when you have a more |
| using public wi-fi, sniffers can get your cookie info. | | | | secure connection. |
| Delete your cookies before you connect to the | | | | |