| There is no mistaking the fact that offering | | | | email that is sent out. However, most Internet |
| wireless Internet access in your business can be | | | | service providers (ISP) look down on this practice |
| an excellent idea. Not only will you draw in more | | | | and may penalize the spammer by taking away |
| customers by offering this free service but these | | | | his Internet access. However, many spammers |
| new customers, as well as your existing ones, will | | | | are able to avoid this type of problem by using |
| likely spend more time in your business. This | | | | unprotected access points to send their spam |
| additional time spent in your business area often | | | | messages. If you allow your wireless connection |
| translates to additional money spent by the | | | | to be an unprotected access point, you may be |
| customers. However, with increased traffic to | | | | held liable for these messages. This is because it is |
| your business comes an increased risk of hackers | | | | possible to trace these messages back to the |
| accessing your wireless Internet connection. For | | | | location from which they are sent. If individuals |
| this reason it is very important to use wireless | | | | complain about these spam messages, |
| security software for your own protection. This | | | | investigators may trace the messages back to |
| article will discuss why this type of software is | | | | your wireless connection and your ISP may |
| necessary and how you can use it to protect | | | | withdraw services from you as a result. |
| yourself. | | | | Finally, it is very important to consider the types |
| The most obvious reason why it is so important | | | | of activity which may occur with the use of your |
| to use wireless security software is to keep your | | | | wireless Internet connection. If you allow your |
| personal information private. Many business | | | | access point to be unprotected, customers in |
| owners are anxious to start offering wireless | | | | your business establishment and possibly even |
| Internet access to their customers, but they do | | | | those nearby may be able to use this wireless |
| not fully think through the ramifications of doing | | | | connection to engage in illegal activities. Users who |
| this. In particular hackers can easily access these | | | | do not want get caught doing something illegal can |
| networks and use them to extract financial | | | | download illegal software or images using this |
| information related to your private or business | | | | connection. Even though you may be unaware of |
| affairs. Hackers can also access your network to | | | | these activities they can be traced back to you. |
| find information they can use to steal your | | | | In these situations you may not only lose your |
| identity. Either keep this information on a | | | | Internet connection but can also wind up facing |
| separate, secure network or use software to | | | | some very serious legal charges. |
| keep it protected. | | | | Now that you realize some of the risks |
| Another reason why the use of wireless security | | | | associated with providing wireless Internet access |
| software is so important is to prevent spammers | | | | through an unprotected access point, we are sure |
| from using your unprotected access point to send | | | | you will invest in the wireless security software |
| out unsolicited emails, otherwise known as spam. | | | | necessary to keep your personal information safe. |
| In most cases, spammers are not sending out | | | | It will also prevent you from being blamed for |
| mass emails just for the fun of it. They are doing | | | | activities such as spamming and downloading illegal |
| this because they are earning a profit from each | | | | materials. |