As noted in our last blog post, free Wi-Fi is easy to come by these days. You can typically find free Wi-Fi in coffeehouses, libraries, public buildings, bookstores, and even some public parks or public transportation. But just because it’s free doesn’t mean its safe. Here are a few simple tips to keeping your device and your data protected on the go:
1. Always, always, always ensure you are connecting to a sponsored or vetted wireless connection. Say you attempt to connect while sitting in a coffeehouse. Your device may detect more than one wireless network available: The Coffeehouse and Free Wi-Fi. Don’t make an assumption! With today’s technology, it’s a simple matter for a hacker to set up a mobile wireless hotspot to access your data. If you’re in a location with employees, take two seconds to check with an employee as to which network is the facility sponsored network. If you’re in a public park or on transportation – look at city sponsored advertising. They often list in easy to find places the correct free Wi-Fi network you can use.
2. Use https:// as often as you can. Should you unwittingly connect to a hacker network, you can encrypt your web browser by adding the ‘S’ to your http url. This adds Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protection, which can stop hackers from stealing your passwords, credit card information, or sensitive business data. Adding the S may not always be an option, but it’s easy to try and most data sensitive sites allow it. To step up the protection, you can subscribe to a Virtual Private Network with a third party. This gives you the same protection and encrypts your activity. Prices range from $8-10 per month.
3. Disable sharing: Your mobile device is probably enabled to share with your home network. But when out on the go, this is like leaving your front door open. Windows will ask you when you connect to a new network to select “Home, Work, or Public.” Choose accordingly. If you select public, Windows will disable sharing for you automatically.
4. Turn it off! Done downloading your email, movies, or e-books? If you’ll be awhile drafting responses or don’t need immediate access to the internet, turn off your device’s Wi-Fi. Most laptops or ultrabooks have a simple toggle switch allowing you to turn it off and on at will. If not, you can find the setting to deactivate your Wi-Fi under your control panel. And as a reminder, you should always disable the “Automatically connect” mode.
5. Upgrade your protection software. Based on advanced privacy protection software found on Smartphones, you can now upgrade your mobile computing device with remote protection software. Should a thief make off with your device, you can remote lock down your data, completely wipe your data clean, or initiate location tracking. In addition to upgrading to this device protection, ensure you maintain a current backup of your data at an off-site location. We offer this service through www.ChicagoBackups.com.
6. And finally, make sure to clean up before packing up! Running your system on a foreign network can leave you open to malicious or bothersome malware and viruses. If you maintain on your desktop a Malware and Antivirus program, after you conclude your internet surfing it takes only a moment more to activate the sweep and remove any potential hazards.
1. Always, always, always ensure you are connecting to a sponsored or vetted wireless connection. Say you attempt to connect while sitting in a coffeehouse. Your device may detect more than one wireless network available: The Coffeehouse and Free Wi-Fi. Don’t make an assumption! With today’s technology, it’s a simple matter for a hacker to set up a mobile wireless hotspot to access your data. If you’re in a location with employees, take two seconds to check with an employee as to which network is the facility sponsored network. If you’re in a public park or on transportation – look at city sponsored advertising. They often list in easy to find places the correct free Wi-Fi network you can use.
2. Use https:// as often as you can. Should you unwittingly connect to a hacker network, you can encrypt your web browser by adding the ‘S’ to your http url. This adds Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protection, which can stop hackers from stealing your passwords, credit card information, or sensitive business data. Adding the S may not always be an option, but it’s easy to try and most data sensitive sites allow it. To step up the protection, you can subscribe to a Virtual Private Network with a third party. This gives you the same protection and encrypts your activity. Prices range from $8-10 per month.
3. Disable sharing: Your mobile device is probably enabled to share with your home network. But when out on the go, this is like leaving your front door open. Windows will ask you when you connect to a new network to select “Home, Work, or Public.” Choose accordingly. If you select public, Windows will disable sharing for you automatically.
4. Turn it off! Done downloading your email, movies, or e-books? If you’ll be awhile drafting responses or don’t need immediate access to the internet, turn off your device’s Wi-Fi. Most laptops or ultrabooks have a simple toggle switch allowing you to turn it off and on at will. If not, you can find the setting to deactivate your Wi-Fi under your control panel. And as a reminder, you should always disable the “Automatically connect” mode.
5. Upgrade your protection software. Based on advanced privacy protection software found on Smartphones, you can now upgrade your mobile computing device with remote protection software. Should a thief make off with your device, you can remote lock down your data, completely wipe your data clean, or initiate location tracking. In addition to upgrading to this device protection, ensure you maintain a current backup of your data at an off-site location. We offer this service through www.ChicagoBackups.com.
6. And finally, make sure to clean up before packing up! Running your system on a foreign network can leave you open to malicious or bothersome malware and viruses. If you maintain on your desktop a Malware and Antivirus program, after you conclude your internet surfing it takes only a moment more to activate the sweep and remove any potential hazards.