| Ten years ago, there were only a handful of wireless | | | | and don't use that Wi-Fi hotspot. There's a high risk |
| Internet hotspots. Today there are hundreds if not | | | | that the network has been infiltrated. |
| thousands. And because they're made to be easily | | | | |
| accessible, they're wonderlands for evil geeks who | | | | Secure your folders |
| can sift through your mail, monitor info you're | | | | |
| transmitting or even access your hard drive. If you | | | | Computers have public folders - often storing your |
| log in at a cafe or other public place, follow these | | | | music and photos - and they're easily made available |
| rules. | | | | to anyone using the same network. Make sure you |
| | | | | don't keep anything personal in those folders. To be |
| Check the name | | | | even more safe, store any private documents on |
| | | | | your computer in a password-protected folder, out |
| As you search for networks, chances are you'll see | | | | of the reach of digital intruders. |
| something called ‘Free Public Wi-Fi'. Don't connect. | | | | |
| It could be a trap. Hackers set up networks with | | | | Buy your own network |
| friendly, inviting names, hoping unsuspecting users will | | | | |
| join. Once you do, you're compromised. Before you | | | | Instead of risking your security on public networks at |
| connect to a network, confirm its name with | | | | all, why not travel with your own Internet access? |
| someone - a coffee shop employee. | | | | Most telephone companies offer 3G/ HSDPA |
| | | | | (wireless broadband Internet). |
| Browse wisely | | | | |
| | | | | Update security |
| Hackers may still watch you through legitimate | | | | |
| networks, so don't send passwords or credit card | | | | Block gremlins from the start. Keep your antivirus and |
| info over public Wi-Fi. If you must, do it only on | | | | antispyware programs up to date. These protect you |
| websites with addresses that start with ‘https'. | | | | against common attacks. Microsoft offers a free |
| (These are more secure than the usual http sites.) | | | | spyware program called Windows Defender. |
| | | | | |
| Heed warnings | | | | Delete previous network searches |
| | | | | |
| Most error messages are indecipherable - what's a | | | | Your computer remembers every network it |
| 404 code, anyway? - but here's one you must heed: | | | | connects to, and it will automatically connect to one it |
| a warning about a site's certificate being expired or | | | | recognizes. The bad guys know that, and create |
| invalid. That's tech lingo for ‘a hacker may be | | | | networks with names that have been commonly |
| intercepting everything you do'. If you see this | | | | used before so your computer will choose it. To |
| message, check the URL; you may have mistyped it. | | | | avoid that, find the list on your computer (the option |
| Try once more, and if the message pops up again, | | | | is often called ‘manage wireless networks') and |
| stop what you're doing, shut down your computer | | | | clear out anything old. |