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Wireless Networks & Hotspots

Wireless networks have revolutionised the way we can use smartphones and tablets, both when we are out and about and in the home or office. Home and office wireless networks make it easier to use the internet and send and receive email in any room in the building and even outside… and enable visitors to do likewise. ‘Public’ wireless networks or hotspots mean that we can do the same in places like cafés, hotels and pubs. And plug-in mobile broadband devices, or ‘dongles,’ provide even more flexibility, allowing you to work online where there is cellular 3G or 4G coverage. Home/office and public WiFi (as wireless connections are commonly known), use the same technology (802.11). There are some common potential issues, whilst each has its own particular risks. You can protect yourself easily with a few simple precautions.

Home/office/mobile wireless networks

The risks

If your wireless hub/router/dongle is not secured, other people can easily gain access to it if they are within range. This can result in unauthorised people doing the following:

  • Taking up your bandwidth – affecting the online speed of your own devices.
  • Using your download allowance, for which you have paid your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
  • Downloading inappropriate material, which would be traced to your address and not their computer.
  • Accessing sensitive information that you may be sending or receiving online.

Safe wireless networking

All of the above risks can be avoided simply by ensuring that the wireless hub/router/dongle that you wish to connect to, is secured. To check that this is the case, simply search for available wireless networks, and those that are secured will be indicated with a padlock symbol.

When you first connect a smartphone, tablet, computer, printer or any other wireless-enabled device to any wireless hub/router/dongle, you will be prompted to enter a password/key, provided the network is in secure mode. This will enable the device to connect on this occasion and normally, for future use. The password/key will be supplied with the hub/router/dongle, but you may be given the opportunity to change it to one of your own choice. You will probably need to do this using a computer.

If you are setting up a new hub/router/dongle, it will probably have been supplied with security turned on as the default. There are three main encryption levels available (WEP, WPA and WPA2), WPA2 being the highest. Most hubs/routers/dongles give you the option of selecting a higher level, but remember that some older devices may not be compatible with higher levels. You will probably need to do this using a computer.

If for any reason a home/office/mobile wireless hub/router/dongle you wish to connect to is not secured, consult the user manual.

Securing your wireless network does not negate the need to take other online security precautions.

Public WiFi

The risk

The security risk associated with using public WiFi is that unauthorised people can intercept anything you are doing online. This could include capturing your passwords and reading private emails. This can happen if the connection between your device and the WiFi is not encrypted, or if someone creates a spoof hotspot which fools you into thinking that it is the legitimate one.

With an encrypted connection, you will be required to enter a ‘key’, which may look something like: 1A648C9FE2.

Alternatively, you may simply be prompted to log in to enable internet access. This will tell the operator that you are online in their café, hotel or pub. There is almost certainly no security through encryption.

Safe public WiFi

  • Unless you are using a secure web page, do not send or receive private information when using public WiFi.
  • Wherever possible, use well-known, commercial hotspot providers.
  • Businesspeople wishing to access their corporate network should use a secure, encrypted Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Other advice

  • Don’t leave your smartphone, tablet, laptop or dongle unattended.
  • Be aware of who is around you and may be watching what you are doing online.
  • Using a secure WiFi connection does not negate the need to take other online security precautions.

 

 

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Jargon Buster

A Glossary of terms used in this article:

802.11

The standard for wireless networks.

Encrypted

The process of converting data into cipher text (a type of code) to prevent it from being understood by an unauthorised party.

ISP

Internet Service Provider: a company that provides access to the internet.

Network

A number of computers that are connected to one another, together with the connecting infrastructure.

Virtual Private Network

Virtual Private Network: a method of creating a secure connection between two points over the internet. Normally used only for business-to-business communications.

WEP

Wired Equivalent Privacy: a type of data encryption to prevent eavesdropping and access to a wireless network by malicious users. Defined by the 802.11 standard.

WiFi

A local area network which uses radio signals instead of a wire to transmit data.

WPA

WiFi Protected Access: a type of data encryption to prevent eavesdropping and access to a wireless network by malicious users. Defined by the 802.11 standard. Provides stronger security than WEP.

WPA2

WiFi Protected Access 2: a type of data encryption to prevent eavesdropping and access to a wireless network by malicious users. Defined by the 802.11 standard. Provides stronger security than WPA or WEP.

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