Library Web Chic

Hot Spot Security

There is a great article at the Security Pipeline
that talks about the security of using hotspots. The article points out
that hotspots users should think about whether or not the hotspot the
secure. Often hotspots are not secure, which means that your personal
data is at risk. One reason for this is that although you may be seeing
the little SSL lock on your computer, the link between your computer's
wireless card and the access point with which it is communicating may
not be encrypted. Beyond considering whether or not the connection is
secure, the article suggests several tips for using public wireless
access safely. One tip is to find our whether not not you can connect
to your email securely. Another is to avoid viewing financial
information via a hotspot. The final tip is to be aware of your
surroundings. Other hotspot users may steal your information no by
sniffing the wireless signal but rather just by reading it over your
shoulder.