Re: One mistake people make using public WiFi, USA Today
Scott: We have a local, DC area public radio host whose hobby is driving around town looking for open wifi. Apparently he just sits in his car and watches. I recall when the W3C held its annual Technial Plennary in China a few years ago. All of the corporate types not only brought burner phones, but also burner laptops. Janina Scott Granados writes: > Janina, whole heartedly agree. I’m going to go to Defcon next near and > already talking to friends about going I’m told not to use any of these > services. In fact I should bring a burner phone and make sure everything is > encrypted. This sort of policy though maybe minus the burner phone should be > the norm. You never know there could be some knuckle head, like me for > example, the next room over with a WiFi capturing device grabbing everything > out of the air and capturing it for what ever use you wish. I have such a > box and use it for demonstrating how shady public WiFi can be. You can take > this box to a Starbucks and then with in minutes start grabbing passwords, > emails, financial information and anything people are browsing right out of > the air. I have a hook in to Amazon AWS which then spins up enough virtual > machines to crack some ciphers or if you reverse things a bit you can direct > attack encrypted WiFi networks and many times break them open. > Now to be fair, the GSM protocols have been cracked but it’s not > trivial to do. Janina’s advice is very sound use your cellular connection > and ideally with a VPN on top. Then you don’t have to worry about snoopers > nearly as much. Some of these things also become even more important when > traveling over seas. If traveling to Russia for example you might just want > to leave your devices at home. China is also one where you need to think and > again possibly use a burner or leave the devices home. Depends on the value > of the data you host. > > > > > On Aug 19, 2017, at 3:00 PM, 'Janina Sajka' via MacVisionaries > > wrote: > > > > Or, better still, with an unlimited data plan from your telco you can > > just skip the wifi and stay with your telco. > > > > I've been doing this at conferences I attend. I have a lot less trouble > > than my colleagues who are struggling with conference wifi and its > > vagaries. > > > > Janina > > > > M. Taylor writes: > >> One mistake people make using public Wi-Fi Kim Komando , Special for USA > >> TODAY > >> Modern Greyhound buses offer free WiFi, a feature the company hopes will > >> attract younger travelers. (Photo: Greyhound) If I've said it once, I've > >> said it a thousand times: Avoid doing anything you would not want anyone in > >> the world to know on public Wi-Fi. You may think you're safe in that busy > >> café or big-name hotel, but public Wi-Fi is a major liability. It doesn't > >> matter how safe the connection seems to be; your computer is vulnerable to > >> hackers because you have no idea who is really in charge of that router or > >> who has access to it and all the data that passes through it. Knowledge is > >> power. Learn how crooks attack your computer on public Wi-Fi. There are > >> lots > >> of ways to protect yourself, of course. Your best defense is a virtual > >> private network (VPN), which can prevent nosy strangers from snooping on > >> your browser. You can also employ the usual firewalls and antivirus > >> software > >> to defend your computer from hackers and malware. Learn more about VPNs and > >> safe browsing on public WiFi. Even the best security systems have their > >> weaknesses, and you have likely never heard of this one: File sharing on a > >> public network can expose your computer to data thieves. This is a scary > >> problem because you may not even realize that you're sharing files. But if > >> your computer is on the wrong setting, you may attract any number of > >> cyber-criminals. So how do you make sure your computer isn't leaking > >> information by accident? File sharing is very handy, especially for groups > >> of people. Whether you're using iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive, file > >> sharing allows a large team to work on a single project at once, or > >> families > >> to browse digital photo albums, or data specialists to organize large > >> batches of information. This is very convenient, as long as you're on your > >> own secure network. But if you're sharing files on public Wi-Fi, your > >> folders may be accessible to anyone connected to the same public network. > >> In > >> other words, file sharing automatically exposes your computer and > >> everything > >> you intend to share. Your vacation photos may end up in the wrong hands, > >> and > >> so could your contracts, spreadsheets, and tax information. In fact, you > >> don't have to be a hacker to take advantage of shared folders. Anyone who > >> looks around their network folders can instantly run a search and find > >> unguarded files. It works the other way around too. An attacker
Re: One mistake people make using public WiFi, USA Today
Sorry to hear that, Kirster. Because, with my U.S. based T-Mobile plan I have international roaming in some 150 countries. It's only 3G, but that does the job for me just fine. Sorry to learn that I get better service as a guest in your country! Janina Krister Ekstrom writes: > The problem with that approach at least here in Sweden is that as far as i > know, and i could be wrong here, there’s no telco in Sweden offering > unlimited data plans. They typically rather offer free calls and sms/mms > within Sweden. > /Krister > > > > 19 aug. 2017 kl. 21:00 skrev 'Janina Sajka' via MacVisionaries > > : > > > > Or, better still, with an unlimited data plan from your telco you can > > just skip the wifi and stay with your telco. > > > > I've been doing this at conferences I attend. I have a lot less trouble > > than my colleagues who are struggling with conference wifi and its > > vagaries. > > > > Janina > > > > M. Taylor writes: > >> One mistake people make using public Wi-Fi Kim Komando , Special for USA > >> TODAY > >> Modern Greyhound buses offer free WiFi, a feature the company hopes will > >> attract younger travelers. (Photo: Greyhound) If I've said it once, I've > >> said it a thousand times: Avoid doing anything you would not want anyone in > >> the world to know on public Wi-Fi. You may think you're safe in that busy > >> café or big-name hotel, but public Wi-Fi is a major liability. It doesn't > >> matter how safe the connection seems to be; your computer is vulnerable to > >> hackers because you have no idea who is really in charge of that router or > >> who has access to it and all the data that passes through it. Knowledge is > >> power. Learn how crooks attack your computer on public Wi-Fi. There are > >> lots > >> of ways to protect yourself, of course. Your best defense is a virtual > >> private network (VPN), which can prevent nosy strangers from snooping on > >> your browser. You can also employ the usual firewalls and antivirus > >> software > >> to defend your computer from hackers and malware. Learn more about VPNs and > >> safe browsing on public WiFi. Even the best security systems have their > >> weaknesses, and you have likely never heard of this one: File sharing on a > >> public network can expose your computer to data thieves. This is a scary > >> problem because you may not even realize that you're sharing files. But if > >> your computer is on the wrong setting, you may attract any number of > >> cyber-criminals. So how do you make sure your computer isn't leaking > >> information by accident? File sharing is very handy, especially for groups > >> of people. Whether you're using iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive, file > >> sharing allows a large team to work on a single project at once, or > >> families > >> to browse digital photo albums, or data specialists to organize large > >> batches of information. This is very convenient, as long as you're on your > >> own secure network. But if you're sharing files on public Wi-Fi, your > >> folders may be accessible to anyone connected to the same public network. > >> In > >> other words, file sharing automatically exposes your computer and > >> everything > >> you intend to share. Your vacation photos may end up in the wrong hands, > >> and > >> so could your contracts, spreadsheets, and tax information. In fact, you > >> don't have to be a hacker to take advantage of shared folders. Anyone who > >> looks around their network folders can instantly run a search and find > >> unguarded files. It works the other way around too. An attacker can also > >> set > >> up a shared folder with malicious files. You may stumble into the > >> mysterious > >> folder and think, "Wait a minute, where did this come from? Then you click > >> on it, releasing the malware onto the desktop. There are other ways you can > >> get into trouble. Learn how to avoid getting hacked on the road. Want to > >> ensure your privacy? Make sure to turn off file sharing before you connect > >> to public WiFi. Here's how to do it: 1. Search for "Control Panel" then > >> click on the best match to open it. 2. Under "Network and Internet," click > >> on "View network status and tasks. 3. On the next page, click "Change > >> advanced sharing settings. 4. Under "File and printer sharing," tick off > >> "Turn off file and printer sharing. 5. To prevent network snoopers from > >> seeing your computer, tick off "Turn off network discovery" too. 6. Save > >> changes. 1. Open your Mac's System Preferences (the gear icon on your > >> dock). > >> 2. Click on the "Sharing" icon. 3. On the next "Sharing Page," uncheck File > >> Sharing. 4. I also recommend that you uncheck all the other sharing > >> services > >> here when connecting to public Wi-Fi. 5. Close the window and you're set. > >> Okay, you're done your business, and now you can log off of public Wi-Fi. > >> You've taken all the necessary precautions, and there's a good chance none > >> of your informatio
Re: One mistake people make using public WiFi, USA Today
It’s a throw away phone that you buy prepaid. You don’t associate your name with it or anything. They sell them in Walmarts for example these prepaid one time use phones. Comes from a phone to burn up and use. You use them a lot for avoiding surveillance. > On Aug 20, 2017, at 9:33 AM, David & his pack of dogs > wrote: > > What's a burner? > > -Original Message- > From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com > [mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Scott Granados > Sent: August 20, 2017 5:53 AM > To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com > Subject: Re: One mistake people make using public WiFi, USA Today > > Janina, whole heartedly agree. I’m going to go to Defcon next near and > already talking to friends about going I’m told not to use any of these > services. In fact I should bring a burner phone and make sure everything is > encrypted. This sort of policy though maybe minus the burner phone should be > the norm. You never know there could be some knuckle head, like me for > example, the next room over with a WiFi capturing device grabbing everything > out of the air and capturing it for what ever use you wish. I have such a > box and use it for demonstrating how shady public WiFi can be. You can take > this box to a Starbucks and then with in minutes start grabbing passwords, > emails, financial information and anything people are browsing right out of > the air. I have a hook in to Amazon AWS which then spins up enough virtual > machines to crack some ciphers or if you reverse things a bit you can direct > attack encrypted WiFi networks and many times break them open. > Now to be fair, the GSM protocols have been cracked but it’s not > trivial to do. Janina’s advice is very sound use your cellular connection > and ideally with a VPN on top. Then you don’t have to worry about snoopers > nearly as much. Some of these things also become even more important when > traveling over seas. If traveling to Russia for example you might just want > to leave your devices at home. China is also one where you need to think and > again possibly use a burner or leave the devices home. Depends on the value > of the data you host. > > > >> On Aug 19, 2017, at 3:00 PM, 'Janina Sajka' via MacVisionaries >> wrote: >> >> Or, better still, with an unlimited data plan from your telco you can >> just skip the wifi and stay with your telco. >> >> I've been doing this at conferences I attend. I have a lot less >> trouble than my colleagues who are struggling with conference wifi and >> its vagaries. >> >> Janina >> >> M. Taylor writes: >>> One mistake people make using public Wi-Fi Kim Komando , Special for >>> USA TODAY Modern Greyhound buses offer free WiFi, a feature the >>> company hopes will attract younger travelers. (Photo: Greyhound) If >>> I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: Avoid doing >>> anything you would not want anyone in the world to know on public >>> Wi-Fi. You may think you're safe in that busy café or big-name hotel, >>> but public Wi-Fi is a major liability. It doesn't matter how safe the >>> connection seems to be; your computer is vulnerable to hackers >>> because you have no idea who is really in charge of that router or >>> who has access to it and all the data that passes through it. >>> Knowledge is power. Learn how crooks attack your computer on public >>> Wi-Fi. There are lots of ways to protect yourself, of course. Your >>> best defense is a virtual private network (VPN), which can prevent >>> nosy strangers from snooping on your browser. You can also employ the >>> usual firewalls and antivirus software to defend your computer from >>> hackers and malware. Learn more about VPNs and safe browsing on >>> public WiFi. Even the best security systems have their weaknesses, >>> and you have likely never heard of this one: File sharing on a public >>> network can expose your computer to data thieves. This is a scary >>> problem because you may not even realize that you're sharing files. >>> But if your computer is on the wrong setting, you may attract any >>> number of cyber-criminals. So how do you make sure your computer >>> isn't leaking information by accident? File sharing is very handy, >>> especially for groups of people. Whether you're using iCloud, >>> Dropbox, or Google Drive, file sharing allows a large team to work on >>> a single project at once, or families to browse digital photo albums, >>> or data specialists to organize
RE: One mistake people make using public WiFi, USA Today
What's a burner? -Original Message- From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com [mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Scott Granados Sent: August 20, 2017 5:53 AM To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com Subject: Re: One mistake people make using public WiFi, USA Today Janina, whole heartedly agree. I’m going to go to Defcon next near and already talking to friends about going I’m told not to use any of these services. In fact I should bring a burner phone and make sure everything is encrypted. This sort of policy though maybe minus the burner phone should be the norm. You never know there could be some knuckle head, like me for example, the next room over with a WiFi capturing device grabbing everything out of the air and capturing it for what ever use you wish. I have such a box and use it for demonstrating how shady public WiFi can be. You can take this box to a Starbucks and then with in minutes start grabbing passwords, emails, financial information and anything people are browsing right out of the air. I have a hook in to Amazon AWS which then spins up enough virtual machines to crack some ciphers or if you reverse things a bit you can direct attack encrypted WiFi networks and many times break them open. Now to be fair, the GSM protocols have been cracked but it’s not trivial to do. Janina’s advice is very sound use your cellular connection and ideally with a VPN on top. Then you don’t have to worry about snoopers nearly as much. Some of these things also become even more important when traveling over seas. If traveling to Russia for example you might just want to leave your devices at home. China is also one where you need to think and again possibly use a burner or leave the devices home. Depends on the value of the data you host. > On Aug 19, 2017, at 3:00 PM, 'Janina Sajka' via MacVisionaries > wrote: > > Or, better still, with an unlimited data plan from your telco you can > just skip the wifi and stay with your telco. > > I've been doing this at conferences I attend. I have a lot less > trouble than my colleagues who are struggling with conference wifi and > its vagaries. > > Janina > > M. Taylor writes: >> One mistake people make using public Wi-Fi Kim Komando , Special for >> USA TODAY Modern Greyhound buses offer free WiFi, a feature the >> company hopes will attract younger travelers. (Photo: Greyhound) If >> I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: Avoid doing >> anything you would not want anyone in the world to know on public >> Wi-Fi. You may think you're safe in that busy café or big-name hotel, >> but public Wi-Fi is a major liability. It doesn't matter how safe the >> connection seems to be; your computer is vulnerable to hackers >> because you have no idea who is really in charge of that router or >> who has access to it and all the data that passes through it. >> Knowledge is power. Learn how crooks attack your computer on public >> Wi-Fi. There are lots of ways to protect yourself, of course. Your >> best defense is a virtual private network (VPN), which can prevent >> nosy strangers from snooping on your browser. You can also employ the >> usual firewalls and antivirus software to defend your computer from >> hackers and malware. Learn more about VPNs and safe browsing on >> public WiFi. Even the best security systems have their weaknesses, >> and you have likely never heard of this one: File sharing on a public >> network can expose your computer to data thieves. This is a scary >> problem because you may not even realize that you're sharing files. >> But if your computer is on the wrong setting, you may attract any >> number of cyber-criminals. So how do you make sure your computer >> isn't leaking information by accident? File sharing is very handy, >> especially for groups of people. Whether you're using iCloud, >> Dropbox, or Google Drive, file sharing allows a large team to work on >> a single project at once, or families to browse digital photo albums, >> or data specialists to organize large batches of information. This is >> very convenient, as long as you're on your own secure network. But if >> you're sharing files on public Wi-Fi, your folders may be accessible >> to anyone connected to the same public network. In other words, file >> sharing automatically exposes your computer and everything you intend >> to share. Your vacation photos may end up in the wrong hands, and so >> could your contracts, spreadsheets, and tax information. In fact, you >> don't have to be a hacker to take advantage of shared folders. Anyone >> who looks around thei
Re: One mistake people make using public WiFi, USA Today
Janina, whole heartedly agree. I’m going to go to Defcon next near and already talking to friends about going I’m told not to use any of these services. In fact I should bring a burner phone and make sure everything is encrypted. This sort of policy though maybe minus the burner phone should be the norm. You never know there could be some knuckle head, like me for example, the next room over with a WiFi capturing device grabbing everything out of the air and capturing it for what ever use you wish. I have such a box and use it for demonstrating how shady public WiFi can be. You can take this box to a Starbucks and then with in minutes start grabbing passwords, emails, financial information and anything people are browsing right out of the air. I have a hook in to Amazon AWS which then spins up enough virtual machines to crack some ciphers or if you reverse things a bit you can direct attack encrypted WiFi networks and many times break them open. Now to be fair, the GSM protocols have been cracked but it’s not trivial to do. Janina’s advice is very sound use your cellular connection and ideally with a VPN on top. Then you don’t have to worry about snoopers nearly as much. Some of these things also become even more important when traveling over seas. If traveling to Russia for example you might just want to leave your devices at home. China is also one where you need to think and again possibly use a burner or leave the devices home. Depends on the value of the data you host. > On Aug 19, 2017, at 3:00 PM, 'Janina Sajka' via MacVisionaries > wrote: > > Or, better still, with an unlimited data plan from your telco you can > just skip the wifi and stay with your telco. > > I've been doing this at conferences I attend. I have a lot less trouble > than my colleagues who are struggling with conference wifi and its > vagaries. > > Janina > > M. Taylor writes: >> One mistake people make using public Wi-Fi Kim Komando , Special for USA >> TODAY >> Modern Greyhound buses offer free WiFi, a feature the company hopes will >> attract younger travelers. (Photo: Greyhound) If I've said it once, I've >> said it a thousand times: Avoid doing anything you would not want anyone in >> the world to know on public Wi-Fi. You may think you're safe in that busy >> café or big-name hotel, but public Wi-Fi is a major liability. It doesn't >> matter how safe the connection seems to be; your computer is vulnerable to >> hackers because you have no idea who is really in charge of that router or >> who has access to it and all the data that passes through it. Knowledge is >> power. Learn how crooks attack your computer on public Wi-Fi. There are lots >> of ways to protect yourself, of course. Your best defense is a virtual >> private network (VPN), which can prevent nosy strangers from snooping on >> your browser. You can also employ the usual firewalls and antivirus software >> to defend your computer from hackers and malware. Learn more about VPNs and >> safe browsing on public WiFi. Even the best security systems have their >> weaknesses, and you have likely never heard of this one: File sharing on a >> public network can expose your computer to data thieves. This is a scary >> problem because you may not even realize that you're sharing files. But if >> your computer is on the wrong setting, you may attract any number of >> cyber-criminals. So how do you make sure your computer isn't leaking >> information by accident? File sharing is very handy, especially for groups >> of people. Whether you're using iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive, file >> sharing allows a large team to work on a single project at once, or families >> to browse digital photo albums, or data specialists to organize large >> batches of information. This is very convenient, as long as you're on your >> own secure network. But if you're sharing files on public Wi-Fi, your >> folders may be accessible to anyone connected to the same public network. In >> other words, file sharing automatically exposes your computer and everything >> you intend to share. Your vacation photos may end up in the wrong hands, and >> so could your contracts, spreadsheets, and tax information. In fact, you >> don't have to be a hacker to take advantage of shared folders. Anyone who >> looks around their network folders can instantly run a search and find >> unguarded files. It works the other way around too. An attacker can also set >> up a shared folder with malicious files. You may stumble into the mysterious >> folder and think, "Wait a minute, where did this come from? Then you click >> on it, releasing the malware onto the desktop. There are other ways you can >> get into trouble. Learn how to avoid getting hacked on the road. Want to >> ensure your privacy? Make sure to turn off file sharing before you connect >> to public WiFi. Here's how to do it: 1. Search for "Control Panel" then >> click on the best match to open it. 2. Under "Netw
Re: One mistake people make using public WiFi, USA Today
The problem with that approach at least here in Sweden is that as far as i know, and i could be wrong here, there’s no telco in Sweden offering unlimited data plans. They typically rather offer free calls and sms/mms within Sweden. /Krister > 19 aug. 2017 kl. 21:00 skrev 'Janina Sajka' via MacVisionaries > : > > Or, better still, with an unlimited data plan from your telco you can > just skip the wifi and stay with your telco. > > I've been doing this at conferences I attend. I have a lot less trouble > than my colleagues who are struggling with conference wifi and its > vagaries. > > Janina > > M. Taylor writes: >> One mistake people make using public Wi-Fi Kim Komando , Special for USA >> TODAY >> Modern Greyhound buses offer free WiFi, a feature the company hopes will >> attract younger travelers. (Photo: Greyhound) If I've said it once, I've >> said it a thousand times: Avoid doing anything you would not want anyone in >> the world to know on public Wi-Fi. You may think you're safe in that busy >> café or big-name hotel, but public Wi-Fi is a major liability. It doesn't >> matter how safe the connection seems to be; your computer is vulnerable to >> hackers because you have no idea who is really in charge of that router or >> who has access to it and all the data that passes through it. Knowledge is >> power. Learn how crooks attack your computer on public Wi-Fi. There are lots >> of ways to protect yourself, of course. Your best defense is a virtual >> private network (VPN), which can prevent nosy strangers from snooping on >> your browser. You can also employ the usual firewalls and antivirus software >> to defend your computer from hackers and malware. Learn more about VPNs and >> safe browsing on public WiFi. Even the best security systems have their >> weaknesses, and you have likely never heard of this one: File sharing on a >> public network can expose your computer to data thieves. This is a scary >> problem because you may not even realize that you're sharing files. But if >> your computer is on the wrong setting, you may attract any number of >> cyber-criminals. So how do you make sure your computer isn't leaking >> information by accident? File sharing is very handy, especially for groups >> of people. Whether you're using iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive, file >> sharing allows a large team to work on a single project at once, or families >> to browse digital photo albums, or data specialists to organize large >> batches of information. This is very convenient, as long as you're on your >> own secure network. But if you're sharing files on public Wi-Fi, your >> folders may be accessible to anyone connected to the same public network. In >> other words, file sharing automatically exposes your computer and everything >> you intend to share. Your vacation photos may end up in the wrong hands, and >> so could your contracts, spreadsheets, and tax information. In fact, you >> don't have to be a hacker to take advantage of shared folders. Anyone who >> looks around their network folders can instantly run a search and find >> unguarded files. It works the other way around too. An attacker can also set >> up a shared folder with malicious files. You may stumble into the mysterious >> folder and think, "Wait a minute, where did this come from? Then you click >> on it, releasing the malware onto the desktop. There are other ways you can >> get into trouble. Learn how to avoid getting hacked on the road. Want to >> ensure your privacy? Make sure to turn off file sharing before you connect >> to public WiFi. Here's how to do it: 1. Search for "Control Panel" then >> click on the best match to open it. 2. Under "Network and Internet," click >> on "View network status and tasks. 3. On the next page, click "Change >> advanced sharing settings. 4. Under "File and printer sharing," tick off >> "Turn off file and printer sharing. 5. To prevent network snoopers from >> seeing your computer, tick off "Turn off network discovery" too. 6. Save >> changes. 1. Open your Mac's System Preferences (the gear icon on your dock). >> 2. Click on the "Sharing" icon. 3. On the next "Sharing Page," uncheck File >> Sharing. 4. I also recommend that you uncheck all the other sharing services >> here when connecting to public Wi-Fi. 5. Close the window and you're set. >> Okay, you're done your business, and now you can log off of public Wi-Fi. >> You've taken all the necessary precautions, and there's a good chance none >> of your information was compromised. Just remember to switch your file >> sharing back on when you get back to your home or office. None of these >> services will work unless you restore your regular settings. When you're >> back on your secure server, you can continue sharing to your heart's >> content. How else can you protect yourself from digital intrusion? Be sure >> to listen or download my podcasts, or click here to find it on your local >> radio station . You can listen to the Kim Komando S
Re: One mistake people make using public WiFi, USA Today
Or, better still, with an unlimited data plan from your telco you can just skip the wifi and stay with your telco. I've been doing this at conferences I attend. I have a lot less trouble than my colleagues who are struggling with conference wifi and its vagaries. Janina M. Taylor writes: > One mistake people make using public Wi-Fi Kim Komando , Special for USA > TODAY > Modern Greyhound buses offer free WiFi, a feature the company hopes will > attract younger travelers. (Photo: Greyhound) If I've said it once, I've > said it a thousand times: Avoid doing anything you would not want anyone in > the world to know on public Wi-Fi. You may think you're safe in that busy > café or big-name hotel, but public Wi-Fi is a major liability. It doesn't > matter how safe the connection seems to be; your computer is vulnerable to > hackers because you have no idea who is really in charge of that router or > who has access to it and all the data that passes through it. Knowledge is > power. Learn how crooks attack your computer on public Wi-Fi. There are lots > of ways to protect yourself, of course. Your best defense is a virtual > private network (VPN), which can prevent nosy strangers from snooping on > your browser. You can also employ the usual firewalls and antivirus software > to defend your computer from hackers and malware. Learn more about VPNs and > safe browsing on public WiFi. Even the best security systems have their > weaknesses, and you have likely never heard of this one: File sharing on a > public network can expose your computer to data thieves. This is a scary > problem because you may not even realize that you're sharing files. But if > your computer is on the wrong setting, you may attract any number of > cyber-criminals. So how do you make sure your computer isn't leaking > information by accident? File sharing is very handy, especially for groups > of people. Whether you're using iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive, file > sharing allows a large team to work on a single project at once, or families > to browse digital photo albums, or data specialists to organize large > batches of information. This is very convenient, as long as you're on your > own secure network. But if you're sharing files on public Wi-Fi, your > folders may be accessible to anyone connected to the same public network. In > other words, file sharing automatically exposes your computer and everything > you intend to share. Your vacation photos may end up in the wrong hands, and > so could your contracts, spreadsheets, and tax information. In fact, you > don't have to be a hacker to take advantage of shared folders. Anyone who > looks around their network folders can instantly run a search and find > unguarded files. It works the other way around too. An attacker can also set > up a shared folder with malicious files. You may stumble into the mysterious > folder and think, "Wait a minute, where did this come from? Then you click > on it, releasing the malware onto the desktop. There are other ways you can > get into trouble. Learn how to avoid getting hacked on the road. Want to > ensure your privacy? Make sure to turn off file sharing before you connect > to public WiFi. Here's how to do it: 1. Search for "Control Panel" then > click on the best match to open it. 2. Under "Network and Internet," click > on "View network status and tasks. 3. On the next page, click "Change > advanced sharing settings. 4. Under "File and printer sharing," tick off > "Turn off file and printer sharing. 5. To prevent network snoopers from > seeing your computer, tick off "Turn off network discovery" too. 6. Save > changes. 1. Open your Mac's System Preferences (the gear icon on your dock). > 2. Click on the "Sharing" icon. 3. On the next "Sharing Page," uncheck File > Sharing. 4. I also recommend that you uncheck all the other sharing services > here when connecting to public Wi-Fi. 5. Close the window and you're set. > Okay, you're done your business, and now you can log off of public Wi-Fi. > You've taken all the necessary precautions, and there's a good chance none > of your information was compromised. Just remember to switch your file > sharing back on when you get back to your home or office. None of these > services will work unless you restore your regular settings. When you're > back on your secure server, you can continue sharing to your heart's > content. How else can you protect yourself from digital intrusion? Be sure > to listen or download my podcasts, or click here to find it on your local > radio station . You can listen to the Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet > or computer. From buying advice to digital life issues, click here for my > free podcasts . Related:: How not to get hacked when using your plane's > Wi-Fi Copyright 2017, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights > reserved. > > Original article at: > https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/2017/08/18/one-mistake-people- > make-using-public-wi-fi/577791
One mistake people make using public WiFi, USA Today
One mistake people make using public Wi-Fi Kim Komando , Special for USA TODAY Modern Greyhound buses offer free WiFi, a feature the company hopes will attract younger travelers. (Photo: Greyhound) If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: Avoid doing anything you would not want anyone in the world to know on public Wi-Fi. You may think you're safe in that busy café or big-name hotel, but public Wi-Fi is a major liability. It doesn't matter how safe the connection seems to be; your computer is vulnerable to hackers because you have no idea who is really in charge of that router or who has access to it and all the data that passes through it. Knowledge is power. Learn how crooks attack your computer on public Wi-Fi. There are lots of ways to protect yourself, of course. Your best defense is a virtual private network (VPN), which can prevent nosy strangers from snooping on your browser. You can also employ the usual firewalls and antivirus software to defend your computer from hackers and malware. Learn more about VPNs and safe browsing on public WiFi. Even the best security systems have their weaknesses, and you have likely never heard of this one: File sharing on a public network can expose your computer to data thieves. This is a scary problem because you may not even realize that you're sharing files. But if your computer is on the wrong setting, you may attract any number of cyber-criminals. So how do you make sure your computer isn't leaking information by accident? File sharing is very handy, especially for groups of people. Whether you're using iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive, file sharing allows a large team to work on a single project at once, or families to browse digital photo albums, or data specialists to organize large batches of information. This is very convenient, as long as you're on your own secure network. But if you're sharing files on public Wi-Fi, your folders may be accessible to anyone connected to the same public network. In other words, file sharing automatically exposes your computer and everything you intend to share. Your vacation photos may end up in the wrong hands, and so could your contracts, spreadsheets, and tax information. In fact, you don't have to be a hacker to take advantage of shared folders. Anyone who looks around their network folders can instantly run a search and find unguarded files. It works the other way around too. An attacker can also set up a shared folder with malicious files. You may stumble into the mysterious folder and think, "Wait a minute, where did this come from? Then you click on it, releasing the malware onto the desktop. There are other ways you can get into trouble. Learn how to avoid getting hacked on the road. Want to ensure your privacy? Make sure to turn off file sharing before you connect to public WiFi. Here's how to do it: 1. Search for "Control Panel" then click on the best match to open it. 2. Under "Network and Internet," click on "View network status and tasks. 3. On the next page, click "Change advanced sharing settings. 4. Under "File and printer sharing," tick off "Turn off file and printer sharing. 5. To prevent network snoopers from seeing your computer, tick off "Turn off network discovery" too. 6. Save changes. 1. Open your Mac's System Preferences (the gear icon on your dock). 2. Click on the "Sharing" icon. 3. On the next "Sharing Page," uncheck File Sharing. 4. I also recommend that you uncheck all the other sharing services here when connecting to public Wi-Fi. 5. Close the window and you're set. Okay, you're done your business, and now you can log off of public Wi-Fi. You've taken all the necessary precautions, and there's a good chance none of your information was compromised. Just remember to switch your file sharing back on when you get back to your home or office. None of these services will work unless you restore your regular settings. When you're back on your secure server, you can continue sharing to your heart's content. How else can you protect yourself from digital intrusion? Be sure to listen or download my podcasts, or click here to find it on your local radio station . You can listen to the Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet or computer. From buying advice to digital life issues, click here for my free podcasts . Related:: How not to get hacked when using your plane's Wi-Fi Copyright 2017, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. Original article at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/2017/08/18/one-mistake-people- make-using-public-wi-fi/577791001/ -- The following information is important for all members of the Mac Visionaries list. If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor. You can reach mark at: macvisionaries+modera...@googlegr
