Safe Surfing: A Few Wi-Fi Rules

Everybody likes free stuff. Cheese samples from the grocery, fancy soap from hotels, and, maybe best of all, free Wi-Fi to save you from eating up your precious data. But free could come at a price.

Before you jump on any old public network, let’s consider what you do most often online: peruse social media, monitor credit card statements, check bank balances and email employees or clients. Most of these activities put your online session at risk for a multitude of data security issues, including identity theft and wicked viruses. Reduce your exposure with these simple steps:

·        Turn off automatic Wi-Fi connections. Connecting to any network is like walking into a stranger’s house. Review and select confirmed networks you can trust.

·        Check with the barista, librarian or wait staff to make sure you’re connecting to their specific network—hackers often set up fake networks that look similar to lure users.

·        Use a virtual private network (VPN) when handling business communications to shield yourself from unwanted onlookers.

Free Wi-Fi is not always a gift from the tech-gods. Like your mom told you, if it’s too good to be true … (you know the rest).

Source: http://www.manta.com/resources/tip-of-the-day/safe-surfing-a-few-wi-fi-rules/?su=hq344mgu9vl41l&utm_medium=Email_Marketing&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_campaign=TOTD&utm_content=TOTD_ReDesign_LM_Test&utm_term=16351