Tech Tip

Working securely from wireless hot spots part 1

With security being a main concern for users, tips and tricks is focusing on wireless hot spots. Also known as Wi-Fi, hot spots are changing the way a small or medium business works. These wireless local area networks (WLANs) provide high-speed Internet connections in public locations (and at home). You can access them via a wireless-ready mobile PC, such as a laptop, netbook, or smartphone.

Hot spots are everywhere, including coffee shops, restaurants, libraries, bookstores, airports, trains, and hotel lobbies. Many of these places will inform you that they have a hot spot for wireless Internet use, will tell you how to access it, and, sometimes, they will provide you with a password.

But are Wi-Fi hot spots safe?

Public hot spots all have one thing in common – they are open networks that are vulnerable to security breaches. Because they do not encrypt data, your passwords, email messages, and other information can be visible to hackers. That means it’s up to you to be aware of wireless hot spot security and to protect the data on your PC or mobile device. These Windows 7 tips and tricks make working on wireless networks in public locations more secure and eliminate potential harm to your data.

1.    Disable your Wi-Fi adapter

When you’re not at home or at work, it’s a good idea to turn off your laptop or netbook's Wi-Fi capability when you’re not using it. Otherwise your computer might connect to a malicious hot spot without you realizing it. Many laptops nowadays have a Wi-Fi hardware button you can use to disable your Wi-Fi adapter. Or use one of the quickest tips and tricks to disable your Wi-Fi adapter directly in Windows 7.

a.    Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Hardware and Sound.

b.    Under Devices and Printers, click Device Manager.

         c.    In the list, click Network adapters. Right-click your wireless card and then click Disable.
        d.    Follow the same steps to enable the adapter.

2.    Choose more secure connections

One effective way to protect your email messages in public is to select the https or other secure connection option in your email account settings (if your email provider supplies one). This option may be called “always use https”, “more secure connection”, or something similar. The address line of your browser displays whether the connection is secure (e.g. https://www…).

3.    Activate your firewall

A firewall helps protect your PC by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network. It acts as a barrier that checks all incoming information and then either blocks the information or allows it to come through.

4.    Decide where you connect

Chances are that there are multiple wireless networks anywhere you’re trying to connect. So how do you make sure you’re connecting to the right one? Simple – this is one of the built-in tips and tricks Windows 7 takes care of automatically. The operating system takes the guesswork out of connecting to hot spots because it automatically prompts you to approve new connections. In addition, after you approve a connection, you can assign a profile for future use to your connection.