Public Wi-Fi Security

Accessing the Internet via a Public Wi-Fi hotspot has become a way of life for most of us. And for all too many who can no longer afford to subscribe to an internet provider, the only way they can access the Internet.

However regardless of why you’re using Public Wi-Fi, unless you have no personal data on your Laptop, Netbook or iPad and all your Internet browsing adventures are suitable for public viewing, when you connect to a Public Wi-Fi hotspot security should always be a concern.

Note: Although I’m using Windows 7 security suggestions, most are appropriate for XP and Vista.

Along with a bit of secure browsing common sense, the following security precautions can help keep your computer safe and secure.

Enable Your Firewall: Whether you use the Firewall built into Windows or a 3rd-party app like ZoneAlarm, make sure it's enabled before signing on to a public hotspot by:
* Clicking on Start, Control Panel, Windows Firewall.
* Selecting “Turn Windows Firewall on or off…”
* Insuring “ Home or Work and Public networks” location settings is turned on.

Turn off all “Sharing”: When you’re on a public network turn off “file and folder sharing” by:
* Clicking on the Network icon in your Taskbar and selecting “Open Network and Sharing Center”.
* Clicking on the “Change advanced sharing settings” hyperlink.
* Being sure to turn off “file and Printer Sharing “as well as “Public folder sharing”.
* Saving your changes

The first time you connect to a Public Wi-Fi Windows will ask you to select a location name for the Network. For example, you want to connect to HealthPark Medical Center’s Wi-Fi.

Rather than having to change your settings every time you log on to HealthPark Medical Center’s Wi-Fi, when you first connect to the HealthPark’s public hotspot and you select a location for the Network (HealthPark), Windows will automatically turn off “File Sharing, Network Discovery, and Public Folder Sharing”.

Use HTTPS Protocol.

If you use regular HTTP (no “S”) protocol when connected to a public network all your text information is readily available to any hacker. You will want to use HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) or SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) the standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a web server and a browser) wherever you can.

And a final suggestion. Always check your browser to ensure you’re using https. Look for the little padlock in the address bar of browsers such as IE and Firefox.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.