Public Wi-Fi spots are places like hotels or cafés where you can be online using their wireless network. While this sounds convenient to be able to connect from anywhere while mobile, it has its implications. A hacker can spy on you and can steal your data by using a sniffer program. To protect you against any such attack, you can follow these steps besides having antispyware, antimalware and antivirus programs on your computer.
Step 1: Disable The Windows Networking automatic connect feature. If you want only a particular network to connect, click on Connect when this network is in range option.
Step 2: you should a firewall to prevent any unauthorized access to your computer. If you are using Windows on your computer, a firewall has already been installed on your system and it is running already and is taking updates from the Microsoft website if you have not turned it off. The Windows firewall can be made more secure in a public Wi-Fi location by changing its setting so that it blocks all incoming connections. You will be able to view most web sites, check your email and exchange instant messages even if you have enabled the firewall to block all incoming connections.
Step 3: If you do not want your files on your computer to be seen by other users on the network, go check if the network uses encryption in order to hide users’ file. There should be a privacy statement included in the public website. If there is no such privacy statement, you should not use the network.
Step 4: Another step which you can take to protect yourself from Wi-Fi hackers is not to key in any sensitive and private data such as passwords and credit card number. Never check your bank balance in a public place. If you have a very strong reason to do so, type in the information only on a secure web site. Be sure to look https in the beginning of the web site address in the address bar. The “s” is an indication of security. A secure website will also display a padlock on the bottom right in the browser toolbar.
Step 5: Beware of some twin web sites that mimic the Wi-Fi login screen. It may be that someone sitting near you is sourcing it. This way your information will go to that man’s computer before it reaches the Internet. Your information can also be stolen in this way by some smartphones .
Step 6: Be watchful that no one is looking over your shoulder. Nothing you are going to lose if you are being extra cautious some people hang out in Wi-Fi hot spots only to get a chance to steal your precious information. You are used to. You should hide your passwords and private information in public wireless areas just as you hide your PIN number from prying eyes at ATMs.
Step 7: Last but not the least; connect to more secure 3G networks with a wireless broadband card instead of using public wireless system.
