Working Securely from a Wireless Hotspot
Wireless hotspots are changing the way people work. These wireless local area networks (LANs) provide high speed Internet access in public locations—as well as at home—and require nothing more than a notebook PC with a wireless card. From coffeeshops to restaurants, airports to hotel lobbies, hotspots are ubiquitous. They are the de facto connection method for travelers and remote workers to access the Internet, their e-mail, and even their corporate networks.
Hotspots range from paid services, such as T-Mobile or Boingo, to free connections at your local coffee shop or library. But they all have one thing in common: These are all open networks that are vulnerable to security breaches. And that means it's up to you to protect the data on your PC. Here are a few tips to make working in public locations more secure.
Try to choose more secure connections.It's not always possible to choose your connection type—but when you can, opt for wireless networks that require a network security key or have some other form of security, such as a certificate. The information sent over these networks is encrypted, which can help protect your computer from unauthorized access. The security features of different networks appear along with the network name as your PC discovers them.
Make sure your firewall is activated.
A firewall helps protect your mobile PC by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network. It acts as a barrier that checks all incoming information, and then either blocks the information or allows it to come through. All Microsoft Windows operating systems come with a firewall, and you can make sure it's turned on.
To activate the Windows XP Firewall:1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections.
3. In the Network Connections window, under Network Tasks, click Change Windows Firewall Settings.
4. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, on the General tab, ensure that On is selected.
To activate the Windows Vista Firewall:
1. Click Start and then click Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, select Network and Internet.
3. Under Windows Firewall, click Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
4. Ensure that On is selected.
Chances are, there are multiple wireless networks anywhere you're trying to connect. These connections are all access points, because they link into the wired system that gives you Internet access. So how do you make sure you're connecting to the right one? Simple—by configuring your PC to let you approve access points before you connect.
Configure Windows XP Access Points:
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections.
3. In the Network Connections window, right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.
4. In the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box, on the Wireless Networks tab, make sure that the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings check box is selected. display:none
5. Under Preferred networks, make sure that the name of the network that you want to connect to is highlighted, and then click Advanced.
6. In the Advanced dialog box, click Access point (infrastructure) network only, and then click Close.
7. Click OK.
Configure Windows Vista Access Points:
Windows Vista takes the guesswork out of connecting to hotspots because you are automatically prompted to approve new connections. In addition, after you approve a connection, you assign it a profile for future use.
Disable file and printer sharing:
File and printer sharing is a feature that enables other computers on a network to access resources on your computer. When using your mobile PC in a hotspot, it's best to disable file and printer sharing because when enabled, it leaves your computer vulnerable to hackers. Remember, though, to turn this feature back on when you return to the office.
Disable file and printer sharing in Windows XP:1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, click Security Center.
3. In the Security Center window, click Windows Firewall.
4. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, click the Exceptions tab.
5. On the Exceptions tab, under Programs and Services, clear the File and Printer Sharing check box and then click OK.
Disable file and printer sharing in Windows Vista:
1. Click Start and then click Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, select Network and Sharing Center.
3. Under Sharing and Discovery, turn File Sharing and Printer Sharing to off.
Consider removing sensitive data from your notebook PC.
If you're working with extremely sensitive data, it might be worth taking it off your notebook PC altogether. Instead, keep it behind the corporate firewall and use your company's Citrix connection or secure access gateway to access it when necessary. This way, you have multiple safeguards in place.A few simple precautions can help make working in public places more secure. And by selecting the best connections and adjusting settings, you can enjoy productive and safe work sessions no matter where you are.
Thank you for being a loyal Cetrom IT client. We will continue to provide you tips, tricks, and information regarding the IT industry so as to help your productivity at work and at home.
Sincerely,
--The Team at Cetrom Information Technology
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