[June 13, 2011] Free Wi-Fi can cost you Tweet Jun 13, 2011 (Chicago Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune News Service via COMTEX) -- After oxygen, your wallet and cell phone, nothing is more vital to the business traveler than wireless Internet. It is our connection to work, home, fantasy sports teams and shopping. On the hotel, cafe or convention center networks, we flip through our online tasks with nary a care. But a care would be a good idea. Jason Glassberg, co-founder of Casaba Security, a Seattle-based technology security company, said the hazards associated with public Wi-Fi networks are so numerous that he does not log on to them; he connects to the Internet through his iPhone. When he must access the Internet on a public network, he does so through a virtual private network _ VPN in industry speak _ that allows him to encrypt his data through a personal server back home. "A personal level of encryption definitely makes me feel safer," he said. "But I'm probably more paranoid than most." Though Glassberg doesn't encourage everyone to be as cautious as he, he does say the average road warrior needs to pay closer attention to Internet habits. Q: How safe are public wireless networks? A: There are basically two kinds: unsecured and secured. An unsecured has no log-in, no password and nothing is encrypted. Those are the most dangerous; if they're free for you, they're free for anybody, and anybody can be on them, looking for people doing online transactions. You should never enter bank account information on that. A secured network makes it harder, but it's not the biggest deterrent. It's another step someone would have to go through, so they'll probably go for one that doesn't have a password first. Q: Would you personally enter banking information on a secured network? A: It's a bit safer, but if I didn't have to do it, I wouldn't do it. Q: Is Internet information theft usually a crime of opportunity? A: It's the car-thief analogy: If someone's targeting your car, they'll find a way to get in. Similarly, if someone is targeting you or your business, they'll probably find a way to get in. But a lot of time, people are looking for people who let their guard down. You don't want to be the guy out there laying yourself bare. Q: How easy is it to pick off information from someone on a public network? A: Very easy. The largest theft of credit card information was by a guy sitting in a parking lot, picking up the information through an unsecured network. He was able to pick up passwords and start his hack. People with virtually no skill can collect the data. Q: Do you need to be more cautious of a public network at, say, a chain hotel in a major city than a rural bed-and-breakfast? A: Cybercrime is an equal-opportunity pain. It boils down to who's doing what, when and where. In the middle of nowhere Iowa, maybe people are bored and pass the time this way. It's easy to do with tools that are very easy to acquire. ___ TIPS FROM JASON GLASSBERG _Be sure any sensitive information is sent on websites beginning with https, not just http. The "s" is proof of a security certificate. _Be aware of the kind of network you're joining. A WEP network is least secure. WPA and WPA2 networks are more secure. _Be sure file sharing and printer sharing are turned off on your laptop. _Run up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall on your computer. _Do as little banking and make as few sensitive transactions as possible on public networks; do these instead on your phone, which is safer. ___ (c) 2011, Chicago Tribune. Visit the Chicago Tribune on the Internet at http://www.chicagotribune.com/. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]