As the availability and popularity of high speed internet continues to grow, so does the demand and the expectation of consumers to be able to access the internet wirelessly at a number of business establishments. Wi-Fi networks, or hot-spots, are areas where wireless internet is available for either a nominal fee, or for free.
In the cases where internet access is free, it is generally provided as a convenience by a business to its consumers. This is often the case among coffee shops and bookstores, where a number of customers tend to also bring their wireless portable devices for work or study while enjoying a cup of Joe. Although, not all such businesses provide Wi-Fi access for free. T-mobile, for example, controls a number of hot-spots throughout the country where access is free only to T-mobile customers, and charges a nominal fee to others.
Free hot-spots are also common among certain government buildings, such as libraries, train stations, airports and other agencies with public access. There even exist municipal broadband networks that cover entire cities.
So, are there any risks associated with using these networks? Well, yes. If your network settings are not properly set in order to protect your portable device, particularly your laptop, while accessing these public networks, it is possible for others within that network to access certain public files within your computer. Additionally, depending on the encryption protocols of the network, any data you transmit from your computer may be viewed. In other words, these are not the places to be logging into your bank account.
Considering this, what if you’re at the library and really need to log-in to your bank account? Well, first try using a non-wireless computer; most libraries that offer Wi-Fi have internet terminals. If this isn’t possible, purchase and set up a virtual private network (VPN) to run on your portable computer.