Don't fall victim to the 'Free Wi-Fi' scam. Those wireless connections could be a trap

ComputerWorld ^ | January 19, 2007 | Preston Gralla

[John Jorsett]

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 could end up being the target of a "man in the middle" attack, in which a hacker is able to steal the information you send over the Internet, including usernames and passwords. And you could also have your files and identity stolen, end up with a spyware-infested PC and have your PC turned into a spam-spewing zombie. The attack could even leave your laptop open to hackers every time you turn it on, by allowing anyone to connect to it without your knowledge.

If you're a Windows Vista user, you're especially susceptible to this attack because of the difficulty in identifying it when using Vista. In this article, you'll learn how the attack works and how to keep yourself safe from it if you use Windows XP or Vista.

[flintsilver7]

Don't get out much, do you?

[Ramius]

Well, that's excellent. He may get a "wealth of an education" from the Free Republic articles...

It's not the articles he would be interested in, but your account and password.

[rintense]

Just ask Chloe... she took care of a guy at a bar who tried to get her free wi-fi. What did she do?

[paul51]

It's amazing to sift through data and see what people allow to travel through an unknown person's network. It's even more fun to log the sites they visit

Nothing better to do? It sounds like your proud of yourself. Most people would be ashamed to admit to such behavior

[amigatec]

bttt

[Star Traveler]

You said -- "It's not the articles he would be interested in, but your account and password."

Heck..., if he's that desperate to post on Free Republic, he can have it, too. I mean..., whatever promotes discussion here.

You know..., it's like my Bible that I have in my car. If someone steals it, then they must really, really need it. They're welcome to it....

Regards,
Star Traveler

[Star Traveler]

You said -- "Nothing better to do? It sounds like your proud of yourself. Most people would be ashamed to admit to such behavior"

Well, I would hope that whoever is looking over my shoulder might *learn something* by what I'm reading.

Heck..., I can barely get other people to read what I actually *send* to them. If I can only get them to read it by snooping -- maybe it's of benefit to them... :-0

Regards,
Star Traveler

[Ramius]

LOL. Fair enough.

[UpAllNight]

Bottom Line.

XP shows them as a computer-to-computer link.

Vista uses icons. Multiple computer icon for computer-to-computer, large computer icon for computer-to-network link.

[TXnMA]

Just another well-deserved attack on microsoft.

[driftdiver]

Just another cheap shot on microsoft.

There fixed it.

[KoRn]

.

[KoRn]

"The exact same could be said about ANY wireless netwrk that is unsecure.

That is very true, especially on home networks that are broadcasting SIDs and unencrypted. I would never use the internet on a public wireless network to do anything that I wouldn't mind everyone else seeing.

[HawaiianGecko]

_hg

Nothing better to do? It sounds like your proud of yourself. Most people would be ashamed to admit to such behavior

In fact I am proud of myself.  It's a good feeling that I'm sure neither you nor your parents have encountered with respect to you.

Why would I be ashamed opening a connection for people to use to check their mail, weather, maps etc?  A lot of these people stay on their boats during this time and welcome a connection. I'm doing them a favor and yes I'm proud of it.  Only a fool wouldn't sift through packets to see if someone is trying to misuse my charitable offer and lock out their mac addresses.

Nothing better to do?  You ask.  Yes I do have a lot to do on these weekends. I always take 15-20 people out on the water all day long doing breakfast, lunch, dinner and dancing. It is precisely why I open my connection for others to use as I won't be using it. 

If you have nothing better to do than making feeble attempts at insults directed toward freepers as your pathetic post above, might I suggest you get a life.

 

[CedarDave]

For your PING list.

[CedarDave]

Is that a Budweiser ad? I don't get what its about.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

The exact same could be said about ANY wireless netwrk that is unsecure.

ok, I use wifi. A Linskeys wireless. How do I make it (or check to see) if its secure?

[goldstategop]

The Internet by defintion IS open. If you want to secure it, run good security software on a Windows PC. You have nothing to worry about in the way of viruses, worms or spyware on a Mac or Linux computer.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

see #37

thanks

[CedarDave]

ok, I use wifi. A Linskeys wireless. How do I make it (or check to see) if its secure?

There is a earlier, companion article that addresses your question. I'll find it, post it and link it here.