Skip to main content

Public WIFI

 By Sean McAllister

If you are using public or unsecured wireless (WiFi) for your phone, tablet or  laptop, you are risking your private information on social network sites such as Facebook, because public WiFi isn't secure. Public WiFi in airports and other public places are ripe for exploitation by hackers.  Unfortunately, it is incredibly easy in a public place to steal your information.

One of the easiest ways to keep your computer safe is making sure you are on a safe network. Anyone can set up a WiFi network, if you are at a hotel, use the respective hotel's network, this (in most cases) will be a secure, password protected network set up by the proprietor.

An unsecured network is non-encrypted, and usually not password protected. This can allow the moderate hacker to access your computer and its data. To see if you are connected to a unsecure network go to your "Network Connections" window and it will indicate in the description whether it is encrypted or not.

A prospective hacker could set up an unsecured network and when you connect, start stealing information straight from your computer. This works much like a malicious website would by installing various malware onto your computer, such as "keyloggers" (a program that tracks your keystrokes, an easy way to figure out your passwords). 

The last thing to keep in mind while using the internet in a public place is wandering eyes. If you are sitting at your local coffee shop make sure that the guy behind you could be watching you enter your password. Be wary and NEVER leave your computer unattended.

Bottom line? I don't recommend ever doing your banking at an unsecure location! 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Digital Marketing for the Small Business

OutMarket has put out in interesting white paper on " 15 Ideas to Grow with Digital Marketing ".  Online marketing is not just for the big guys but is easily available for small businesses and you need to take advantage of that opportunity to level the playing field in your industry. The article provides some of the first steps in developing your online marketing plan and well worth reading. Some small business owners want to save funds and do it themselves but you might want to consider hiring this out to an online marketing specialist so you can focus on YOUR business. Twitter, Facebook, Google Analytics and social media monitoring can monopolize your time, taking you away from running your business. Shameless plug, McAllister Park Design can help you with your online marketing and increase your exposure online to potential clients. We will work with you as a consultant to help you develop a plan or as your regular marketing guru, your choice.

Google: Now you know!

Google has released clear information on how to perform better in search engines. Provide useful, legitimate content!  This update is called the " Helpful Content Update " and it is clear that original, informative information is king.  A new sitewide ranking system is being added which awards people with good quality content.  Now, this isn't really new, but it clarifies that your ranking can be impacted and if you are a subject matter expert in your field or business, make it shine!  Utilize your website as informational, not just a short brochure or a business card.  Show your knowledge and experience and make it work for your organically. 

How Do We Prepare Students for a Global Knowledge Economy?

I recently participated in a discussion regarding the direction of our community here in Northwest Georgia. Although many candidates for our county commission would like to see more manufacturing jobs, I truly feel that we are not preparing our students to be part of the 'global economy'. Why are we happy with more retail jobs at minimum wage or warehouse  jobs for $10 per hour?  In our community we can strive to provide a better education geared toward the future. We can also improve our local economy with drawing technology related businesses that are required to have access to highways and won't require more truck routes into our area. We, as a community, aren't preparing our students to strive for better jobs. We, as a community need to move into the 21st century before its too late. Check out this seminar on preparing our students for a global knowledge economy.  I hope you will consider the need to prepare your children for the world with soft skills such as d