Unsecured Wireless Network Risks
You have your laptop, you need get online but you don’t have a broadband card with you. The system is telling you that an open wireless network named “default” is available. Lucky you right? Wrong.
Common Unsecured Wireless Network Names: default, linksys, Wireless, WLAN, 1234, any.
Anytime you try to connect to an unsecured wireless network you cannot be sure who else is on the same network.
One of the main dangers of connecting to open wireless networks is that other users may be able to browse your shared folders. This can be prevented by making sure that folder sharing is turned off and a software firewall is installed and properly configured.
Windows XP File and Print Sharing Screenshot
Mac OS X Sharing Preferences Window
When connecting to these open hotspots, you also run the risk of having your data intercepted. It is possible for someone to read the wirelessly transferred data if it is not properly encrypted. Your emails, your chats, and your passwords can be captured by a hacker using a relatively simple setup.
We recommend that you only connect to secured networks. This greatly decreases the risk of being hacked. Even then, you will still want to have the added protection of a software firewall, encrypted email, and share settings turned off until you are on a wired network.
You might also want to consider subscribing to a broadband connection if you need have high speed Internet access on-the-go on a regular basis. This will give you a dedicated secure connection to your ISP.
USB Wireless Broadband Card
Now that you know the potential dangers of connecting to unsecured wireless networks, you can make sure your friends and family are aware of the risks as well.
To secure your wireless network, call us to talk to one of our E-Geniuses Technicians.
www.E-Geniuses.com.
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