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usb WiFi adapters |  |
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| there are small and easy to install, but are they compromising your network's security? | ||
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hotspots are venues that offer WiFi access. the public can use their laptop, PDA, or Dual-mode phone to access the Internet. of the estimated 150 million laptops, 14 million PDAs, and other emerging Wi-Fi devices sold per year for the last few years, most include the Wi-Fi feature.
hotspots are often found at restaurants, train stations, airports, libraries, coffee shops, bookstores, fuel stations, department stores, supermarkets and other public places.
free hotspots
free hotspots operate two ways:
- open public network is the most easy way to create a free HotSpot. You only need a Wi-Fi router and your HotSpot is ready to use. But you have the disadvantage of not knowing who connects to the router thus you can't control it.
- closed public networks are using a HotSpot Management System to control the HotSpot. These are software's that are running on the router itself or using an external computer for it. With the help of these software's operators can archive that only those guest will be able to use the internet, who are authorized and they often associate the free access to a menu, or to a purchase limit. HotSpotSystem.com for example offers their software for a small monthly fee depending on the number of connections that a HotSpot uses a month.
security issues
most hotspots are unsecured. user data is shared as clear text as all users. a "poisoned hotspot" refers to a free public hotspot set up by identity thieves or other malicious individuals for the purpose of "sniffing" the data sent by the user.
NOTE: make sure you have adequate firewall software
