| Most people are familiar with the TJX data breach, in | | | | data on your network, for the most part, but if you're |
| which 45 million credit card numbers were stolen. TJX | | | | on someone else's network, secured or unsecured, |
| recently agreed to pay $9.75 million to 41 states to | | | | your data is at risk. Anyone using an open network |
| settle an investigation of the massive data breach. | | | | risks exposing their data. There are many ways to |
| According to some reports, TJX has spent up to $256 | | | | see who's connected on a wireless connection, and |
| million attempting to fix the problem that led to the | | | | gain access to their data. |
| breach. | | | | There are a few things you should do to protect |
| It's been said repeatedly that the criminal hackers | | | | yourself while using wireless. Be smart about what kind |
| responsible for the breach were sitting in a car outside | | | | of data you transmit on a public wireless connection. |
| a store when they stumbled across a vulnerable, | | | | There's no need to make critical transactions while |
| unprotected wireless network using a laptop, a | | | | sipping that macchiato. |
| telescope antenna, and an 802.11 wireless LAN | | | | Don't store critical data on a device used outside the |
| adapter. This process is called "Wardriving." | | | | secure network. I have a laptop and an iPhone. If they |
| WiFi is everywhere. Whether you travel for business | | | | are hacked, there's nothing on either device that would |
| or simply need Internet access while out and about, | | | | compromise me. |
| your options are plentiful. You can sign on at airports, | | | | Install Hotspot Shield. A free ad supported program, |
| hotels, coffee shops, fast food restaurants, and now, | | | | Hotspot Shield protects your entire web surfing |
| airplanes. What are your risk factors when accessing | | | | session by securing your connection, whether you're at |
| wireless? There are plenty. WiFi wasn't born to be | | | | home or in public, using wired or wireless Internet. |
| secure. It was born to be convenient. As more | | | | Hotspot Shield does this by ensuring that all web |
| sensitive data has been wirelessly transmitted over | | | | transactions are secured through HTTPS. They also |
| the years, the need for security has evolved. Today, | | | | offer an iPhone application. There are fee based |
| with criminal hackers as sophisticated as they ever | | | | programs, including and HotSpotVPN, which can create |
| have been, wireless communications are at an even | | | | a secure "tunnel" between a computer and the site's |
| higher risk. | | | | server. |
| When setting up a wireless router, there are two | | | | Turn off WiFi and blue tooth on your laptop or cell |
| different security techniques you can use. WiFi | | | | phone when you're not using them. An unattended |
| Protected Access is a certification program that was | | | | device emitting wireless signals is very appealing to a |
| created in response to several serious weaknesses | | | | criminal hacker. Beware of free WiFi connections. |
| researchers had found in the previous system, Wired | | | | Anywhere you see a broadcast for "Free WiFi," |
| Equivalent Privacy. Wired Equivalent Privacy was | | | | consider it a red flag. It's likely that free WiFi is meant |
| introduced in 1997 and is the original form of wireless | | | | to act as bait. |
| network security. Wireless networks broadcast | | | | Beware of evil twins. These are connections that |
| messages using radio and are thus more susceptible | | | | appear legitimate but are actually traps set to snare |
| to eavesdropping than wired networks. | | | | anyone who connects. Keep your antivirus and |
| It's one thing to access your own wireless connection | | | | operating system updated. Make sure your anti-virus is |
| from your home or office. It entirely another story | | | | automatically updated and your operating systems |
| when accessing someone else's unprotected network. | | | | critical security patches are up to date. |
| Setting up a secure WiFi connection will protect the | | | | |