Wi-Fi hotspot Security worry revelation (1)

In an interview with Wi-Fi users in U. S. Airports and coffee shops, Network World reveals worrying and even fearful Wi-Fi security issues.

Laptops are the main business tool for most mobile office workers. It has become a common practice to connect these devices to the Internet through free public Wi-Fi hotspots. What if these mobile office staff comply with the mobile computing security rules?

Therefore, we directly interview users. We visited airports, restaurants and coffee shops and asked people about the security measures they took to protect their laptops.

We asked whether the laptop is personal property or provided by the work unit, whether it is used for personal affairs or work projects, and what kind of security training the user has attended, and other information about Wi-Fi usage and general laptop security. Since we didn't ask for personal details except the username, people seem very honest in their answers.

The results of the survey will make any security professional feel a cold sweat. Many users do not know what security features their laptops have, and they only have a vague concept of computing security. Let's start with the end users who show the best Wi-Fi behavior, and then tell a truly horrible story.

Weak security awareness

Timothy: B +

Every IT manager with a laptop employee will be happy to set Timothy as an example of wise use of the laptop. Sitting at the Los Angeles Airport and connecting his laptop to his mobile phone, Timothy did most of the right thing to protect the safety of his laptop.

Timothy, A technician at A medical equipment manufacturer, said: "All field service engineers in the company must be A + certified. We occasionally receive security memos when installing security software on IT devices, but we know security issues and are very careful ."

Because free Wi-Fi is not available at Los Angeles Airport, Timothy uses the Sprint's cellular data network to connect to the network through his mobile phone. However, where free Wi-Fi is available, such as at Denver airport, he uses the Wi-Fi network directly.

Timothy said he accessed a VPN connected to the company's network while checking the company's email, but he didn't use it at the time. His employer provided the Dell Latitude D520 to run Windows XP, but Timothy admitted that he also used the machine to handle personal matters.

Timothy's laptop also has a password required before loading Windows. He does not know whether the password is a system-level password or a password used for the entire hard disk encryption product.

Kurt: B

Next we will talk about CFO Kurt, a regional restaurant chain. Kurt prefers free Wi-Fi if he can) and refuses to consider buying any type of Cellular Data Network for himself or his users. "If I can use free Wi-Fi to meet my needs while traveling, other people can do the same," he said ."

The Kurt at Dallas Ft. Worth Airport purchased a one-day card for using the T-Mobile Wi-Fi access service. Run Windows XP on a device assigned by Dell Latitude 630.

"We use Blackberry or smart phones to view emails, so the laptop connection is not that critical," said Kurt ." He did use the company's laptop to handle personal matters, but when asked whether to use online banking through public Wi-Fi, he immediately gave a definite negative answer. "If necessary, I can access the company's financial server through a VPN, but that is the connection I used at work," said Kurt ."

He refused to consider using a cellular data network from a major mobile phone provider, and thought it was just "looking glamorous. When users look for a free Wi-Fi network, they expose themselves to various hacker listening technologies, especially when they accidentally connect to the Ad Hoc network.

In fact, purchasing two T-Mobile Internet access cards per day within one month and paying three days for hotel Internet access will make the Kurt pay the same fee as the monthly Cellular Data Network fee. Users who spend $60 a month on their laptop connections will benefit from the fixed and predictable price model of the cellular data network, it is at least a bit safer than searching for open public Wi-Fi networks.