Public wireless hot spots are great. They make it possible for you to work, surf or interact wherever you are but are they safe? Public hot spots are open computer networks and do not encrypt data which could mean your emails and passwords could be visible to hackers. This sounds scary but in reality public Wi-Fi is fine to use, as long as you are aware of the risks and take steps towards data protection.
Microsoft offer 8 tips to help you maintain network protection from wireless hot spots:
- When out and about turn off your Wi-Fi adaptor to make sure your device does not connect to a public computer network without you realising.
- When you can choose wireless networks which are password protected, many public places have these and will give their customers password access if required. The information sent over these computer networks is encrypted and will help protect your computer. You can also protect your email by selecting the https option in your email account settings.
- Make sure your firewall is activated; all Windows operating systems come with a firewall, or your anti-virus software may have one. Using
both at the same time is not recommended.
- Configure your PC to let you approve access points before it connects, this will allow you to make sure that the computer network you are using gives you the highest level of network protection available.
- If you have file and printer sharing enabled, other users on the network will have access to resources on your computer. Remember to disable this when using your computer in public.
- Make your folders private.
- Password protect your files. This can be time consuming so it’s best to just encrypt the files you plan on using when on a public computer network.
- Don’t save sensitive data on your mobile device, leave it saved on your office or home computer network where it is much better protected.
For more information and instructions for each step check out the original article on http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/remotely/hotspots.aspx, or contact us at sales AT flint-it DOT com or 0845 3309680.
Visit our IT website to find out more about IT support in Herts, Beds and Bucks
Extraordinarily beneficial thanks, I believe your current readers will likely want way more reviews such as this continue the good effort.
Andrew Jefferson
9 Sep 11 at 8:02 am
[...] appropriate precautions before accessing your email via public [...]
20 Tips to Clean-Up and Secure Your Email Inbox at Flint IT – IT Support & Managed IT Services Luton, Bedfordshire
8 Dec 11 at 9:42 am