| Have you heard rumors about wi-fi safety? Are | | | | First be careful about where you connect. If you |
| you concerned about your security when you | | | | leave your automatic connect feature enabled |
| access the Internet through a wi-fi location? If | | | | you do not remain in complete control over when |
| you are concerned by these types of rumors and | | | | and where you access the Internet through |
| issues you are not alone. There are many who | | | | wireless connection. Disabling this feature may |
| have been apprehensive about using wireless | | | | cost you a little bit of extra time each time you |
| Internet connections because of these fears. This | | | | want to connect but it is safer in the long run. By |
| article will debunk some of the popular wi-fi | | | | maintaining control over when and where you |
| security and safety myths. | | | | connect you also maintain a greater level of |
| Fairly recently a BBC documentary caused | | | | security. However, when you are completely |
| widespread panic and resulted in schools in the UK | | | | unaware that your laptop is connected to a wi-fi |
| frantically eliminating wi-fi usage among students. | | | | connection you become vulnerable. |
| These rash decisions were made in light of | | | | Consider investing in a wireless broadband account. |
| comments made during the documentary | | | | This will give you the opportunity to connect to |
| Panorama. These comments alluded to the fact | | | | 3G cellular networks instead of a public 802.11 |
| that radiation levels emitting from these wireless | | | | wireless network. Generally a 3G connection will |
| sources posed a public health threat to students. | | | | be more secure although it will not be completely |
| It was eventually determined that the | | | | hack-proof. 3G connections are also typically more |
| documentary had presented a biased opinion of | | | | reliable as well. |
| the issue and a note was added to inform | | | | Next you should consider changing your default |
| viewers that the documentary was not | | | | router name. Typically the default SSID is easily |
| necessarily a reflection of the scientific opinion of | | | | recognizable. Most have names such as Linksys, |
| the matter. This simple example illustrates how | | | | D-Link or Netgear which are very well known |
| quickly public opinion can be influenced. However, | | | | among hackers. By changing this default name to |
| despite this incident it is important to note many | | | | something original which will be difficult to guess, |
| scientists do not feel as though the radiation | | | | you are greatly improving the security of your |
| emitted from wireless devices poses a serious | | | | computer. You should also change the default |
| public health threat. | | | | admin ID and password for your router and |
| The above example illustrates an unfounded | | | | enable some form of encryption. |
| health concern regarding the use of wi-fi. | | | | Finally, use some common sense when using wi-fi |
| However, the more common security and safety | | | | for Internet access. Avoid logging into your bank |
| concerns related to wi-fi pertain to issues of | | | | account, placing orders online when using wi-fi |
| identity theft. There is some truth to the fact | | | | hotspots or engaging in any other type of activity |
| that wi-fi users are somewhat vulnerable to | | | | where you are divulging sensitive data. Save |
| having sensitive information stolen when accessing | | | | these types of activities for another time when |
| a wi-fi hotspot. However, there are a number of | | | | you are accessing the Internet from a secure |
| steps these users can take to minimize these | | | | location such as your home office. |
| risks. | | | | |