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Wi-Fi? Why not? [Telegraph-Herald (Dubuque, IA)](Telegraph-Herald (Dubuque, IA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) wi-fi security On-the-go Internet users know that security is the first priority no matter what. Here are a couple of tips that will put you on the path to secure use of those often worrisome public access points. VPN It might seem simple to the initiated, but one of the easiest ways to keep your information secure over a public Wi- Fi hotspot is to use a VPN, or Virtual Private Network. Often, your workplace will take advantage of a VPN, establishing a point-to- point connection that uses encryption. This allows employees in the field to do work while keeping that work secure. Whether or not you have remote access to your employer's VPN, there are several apps and programs that allow you to create your own VPN, thereby adding an extra level of assurance that you data is safe: Hotspot Shield VPN Operating system: iOS and Android Cost: Free Website: hotspotshield.com Witopia Operating system: Any Cost: Varies, the Pro package is $69.99 per year and the Basic package is $49.99 per year Website: my.witopia.net GoTrusted Secure Tunnel 2 Operating system: Any Cost: $5.99 per month for a home user, $24.95 to $127.74 per month depending on number of users for small businesses Website: www.gotrusted.com Security apps Another plan of attack for the average WiFi user is to take advantage of the panoply of security apps on the market. These apps generally analyze WiFi signals for strength, location and security. Here are a few examples: Moobila WiFi Security Plus Operating system: iOS and Android Cost: 99 cents on iOS, $1.99 on Android Website: moobila.com Boingo Operating system: Any Cost: Free Website: boingo.com Trust Connect Operating system: Windows, MacOS, Linux Cost: Starts at $3.99 Website: www.comodo.com In 2013 the Internet and the variety of wonders it offers is never far away, no matter if one is out to dinner, enjoying an art exhibit or everything in between. The question is whether such a service is provided by the establishment or whether you have to provide it for yourself. If it's provided by the establishment, what kind of security is there What's the difference between 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi Should you be worried about security on a public network And, what does Wi-Fi stand for, exactly All those question and more can be found below. Broadcasting from Radio City Music Hall The term Wi-Fi often is thought to stand for "wireless fidelity," but it doesn't stand for anything. Wi-Fi is a brand name coined by the Wi-Fi Alliance and the Interbrand Corp. to denote devices that follow a certain standard for wireless Internet access. It's a play on the old term high fidelity, or Hi-Fi. Wireless Internet (also known as Wi-Fi, or 802.11 networking) consists of transmissions from a wireless router to an Internet- enabled device, and vice-versa, in the form of radio waves. The router and the device must be equipped with antennas that both accept and transmit the radio waves, while also being capable of converting those radio signals to and from 1s and 0s. The ease and convenience of wireless networks using the Wi-Fi standard, introduced in 1999 by the Wi-Fi Alliance, has led to the proliferation of such WLANs (wireless local area networks), and also means that just about any electronic device meant to access the Internet is capable of accessing such networks right out of the box. Tablets, smartphones, laptops, iPods, etc. all take advantage of Wi- Fi to deliver a stable, wireless Internet experience. What this convenience means out and about is that the worst hurdle to overcome is a password. A pro-tip is that it usually can be found on a receipt (common in coffee houses), in the menu or posted on the wall. These passwords fall into one of two categories: WEP passwords and WPA passwords. The only practical difference between WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) is that WPA is a far more secure form of protection. WPA2 refers to an improved form of WPA protection that, which is little different than WPA, from the user's standpoint. The last word on security is that you should always be careful what kind of information you access. Despite password protection, these are public access points. And, there is no such thing as perfect security, so information like credit card numbers and Social Security numbers should never be broadcast across them. Such information would be better protected by the other most common form of wireless Internet access. 4G, or not 4G That is the question References to 4G and/or 3G are referring to a terminology that is far simpler than you might first expect. The "G" simply stands for generation, with the number denoting what generation of cell phone technology it is. It started with 1G in 1982, became digital with 2G in the early 1990s, began to be fast and stable enough for Internet with 3G in 2000/2001 and became more efficient and faster with 4G in 2011. Mobile ultra-broadband isn't confined to smart phones, though. It can include laptops with cell network access cards, tablets and mobile Internet hotspots, as well. Data rates vary by provider, location and speed of travel, and are generally as fast, if not faster, than Wi-Fi routers. Most smartphones also include the ability to use them as a Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing other devices to access the Internet through them. This often is referred to as "tethering." While this is a built-in feature for all Android phones, many carriers disable the feature unless the user adds tethering to his or her payment plan. There also are apps (both free and paid) that will turn your phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot. When looking for such an app, the ability to password protect the signal should rank highest among your priorities. Free tethering apps for Android devices usually require that you root the device, so a purchase might be necessary if you are uncomfortable with that or if you don't have the technical know- how. (c) 2013 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |