“Free Wi-Fi” is like a box of chocolates…
…you’ll never know what you’ll get!
Preston Gralla on the Computerworld website:
“The next time you’re at an airport looking for a wireless hot spot, and you see one called “Free Wi-Fi” or a similar name, beware — you may end up being victimized by the latest hot-spot scam hitting airports across the country. You go to an airport or other hot spot and fire up your PC, hoping to find a free hot spot. You see one that calls itself “Free Wi-Fi” or a similar name. You connect. Bingo — you’ve been had!The problem is that it’s not really a hot spot. Instead, it’s an ad hoc, peer-to-peer network, possibly set up as a trap by someone with a laptop nearby. You can use the Internet, because the attacker has set up his PC to let you browse the Internet via his connection. But because you’re using his connection, all your traffic goes through his PC, so he can see everything you do online…”
The article provides tips for safe wireless networking and avoiding rogue networks.
We’ve witnessed this situation firsthand at the Birmingham (Ala.) International Airport.
In the picture above, “TheAuthorityLAN” is the legitimate airport access point. Note the two peer-to-peer connections at the bottom… This screenshot was made on 09/29/2006.
Another article that we think is required reading for anyone using public wireless network access is Mr. Gralla’s How to protect yourself at wireless hot spots.
And, as always, if you need help or have questions about securing your computer or wireless connection, contact us!