Cyber Security - Wi-Fi Security

This weekend I was talking to family about Wi-Fi and the security measure one needs to take when at a Wi-Fi hotspot such as a cyber cafe or even at home. Locking your router with a complex password is a start. However, I cam across an article By Jorge L. Valens, from the Sun Sentinel this weekend that touches the surface of this phenomena. Below are the key points he had:

Looking to set-up a Wi-Fi network at home or enjoy browsing the Internet in public? FIU Network Manager Eric Johnson offers this advice.

1. Protect your network with a WPA/WPA2 encryption and allow it to generate a password for you, rather than choosing something predictable like your last name or birthday.

2. Use common sense when connecting to a Wi-Fi network outside of your home. If you notice more than one network, ask someone at the location you are at, be it a coffee shop or an airport which network is the correct one.

3. Don't do things in public you don't want to be seen. Most public Wi-Fi hotspots are not secured, always assume someone can see what you are surfing on in these places.

4. Use different passwords for different services. Sites like social networking sites don't always default to a secure connection. Bad guys will try to use a password they collect from those sites

5. Be careful about signing on to social networking sites and forums. These sites typically don't use HTTPS protocols and require login/pass to get in. If your social network password is the same as the one for your bank account, hackers will use them.

The article also had more important points to remember:

Leaving the default security settings switched on in a home wireless router is never a good idea.

Elias Montoya, technology director for Abadin Cook, a Miami-based law firm, said users should make sure to stick to a strong password, such as the WEP 2 generated password, that mixes characters, numbers and letters rather than choosing something predictable like their home phone number or leaving the default password.

"The [Wi-Fi] user should be in the mindset that nothing is 100 percent secure. … If someone is intent on hacking you, they will," Montoya said.

Wi-Fi use in public places, such as coffee shops, is becoming increasingly popular, but these networks are typically wide open, said Johnson.

"You should always treat any Internet activity you do at these locations as if it's being monitored," he said.

Johnson added that people should stay away from doing anything that they would not want to be seen, such as online banking.

Many coffee shops offer free, secure Wi-Fi to customers.

For the complete article, click here.

Stay safe out there in cyberspace!