{"id":21645,"date":"2011-05-10T09:46:50","date_gmt":"2011-05-10T14:46:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pcmatic.com\/blog\/?p=21645"},"modified":"2011-05-10T09:46:50","modified_gmt":"2011-05-10T14:46:50","slug":"ask-leo-how-to-use-an-open-wifi-hotspot-safely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pcmatic.com\/blog\/ask-leo-how-to-use-an-open-wifi-hotspot-safely\/","title":{"rendered":"Ask Leo: How to use an open WiFi hotspot safely"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"askleo\"<\/p>\n

By Leo Notenboom<\/p>\n

I’ve returned to the same coffee shop where I was a few months ago when I noticed that my email had been hijacked\/hacked. This time, I’m using my phone, but the last time when I noticed the hack, I was using my computer and doing email over an open-internet, free WiFi network.<\/p>\n

Do you think that could be the source of the problem or just a<\/p>\n

coincidence? I’m still afraid to do email from here.<\/i><\/p>\n

========================================<\/p>\n

It definitely could have been. Unfortunately, it’s hard to say for sure and
\nit could have been something else unrelated.<\/p>\n

As we can’t really diagnose the past, let’s look ahead instead.<\/p>\n

It absolutely can be safe to do email from a coffee shop or any other
\nlocation that provides unsecured or “open” WiFi. In fact, I do it all the
\ntime.<\/p>\n

But you do have to make sure to follow some very important practices to
\nensure your safety.<\/p>\n

Turn On The Firewall<\/h3>\n

This is easily and frequently overlooked.<\/p>\n

When you’re at home, you may use your router as your firewall and keep the
\nWindows or other software firewall on your machine disabled as redundant.
\nThat works well, as the router stops network-based attacks before they ever
\nreach your computer.<\/p>\n

\n\n<\/p>\n

When you’re on an open WiFi hotspot or connected directly to the internet
\nvia other means, that software firewall isn’t redundant. In fact, it’s
\nrequired.<\/p>\n

Make sure that the firewall is enabled before connecting to an open WiFi
\nhotspot. Various network-based threats could be present on an untrusted
\nconnection, and it’s the firewall’s job to protect you from exactly that.<\/p>\n

Consider Not Using Free WiFi<\/h3>\n

As I said, it can be safe to use open WiFi, but it’s also very easy for it
\nto be un<\/em>safe.<\/p>\n

The solution that you used while you were at that same coffee shop (and asked me about in this question) is a very common and solid one: use your phone instead.<\/p>\n

While it is technically possible, a mobile\/cellular network connection is
\nsignificantly<\/em> less likely to be hacked. I use this solution when I
\ntravel.<\/p>\n

Most mobile carriers offer one or more of the following options:<\/p>\n