Last Updated on Saturday, September 03, 2011 at 10:01 PM
A Wi-Fi hotspot is a location that offers Internet access over a wireless network. These hotspots often can be found in restaurants, airports and other public spaces. As the popularity and dependence on hotspots rise through the mass adoption of smartphones, laptops and other devices, so do outbreaks of malicious activity by hackers. Intel Corporation recently released a list of nine things you should never do while connected on a public Wi-Fi hotspot. Here is the item that ranked number one on its list:
Check before you connect
“Due to the number of locales offering Wi-Fi now (approximately 75,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in the U.S. and 300,000 worldwide by the start of 2011), a routine connection attempt from your local hotspot may bring up a half dozen (or more) possible networks. Be extremely cautious here – hackers often set up networks with names such as ‘Free Wi-Fi Hotspot’ to nab unsuspecting users. In addition, a legit public Wi-Fi site will ask you to log on to a Web page before you can complete the connection. If the network or Web page doesn’t match your locale – such as a generic ‘Free Wi-Fi Here’ page from your favorite coffee shop site – confirm the site name with someone at your location, preferably an employee. Better yet, have that person connect you.” – Intel Corporation, December 2010 Tech Tips
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Published 1/21/11