With Wi-Fi services being offered for free by many major outlets one has to wonder if this is a good or a bad thing. The up side is that free internet services can be provided to you at any time during the day with easy access. The down side is ,how to protect your data from prying internet hackers waiting to steal your identity or personal information. There are a couple of different ways of going about this; the main thing is having the hardware technology that provides easy access and a secure yet robust environment.
The main staple for security on a Wi-Fi router is listed below, there are other points to take into consideration but these are the main ones that should be addressed.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2409751,00.asp
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wirelesssecurity/tp/wifisecurity.htm
- Password Encryption
- Turn Off Broadcasting
- Disable Guest Networks
- Support MAC Filtering
- Monitor Network Applications
Certain routers even offer a separate package for additional firewall security which can allow an administrator the ability to provide policies and security configurations. All of this is fine and well in a SOHO environment, but what about the average user, who is sitting in his favorite coffee shop or local restaurant, how does one protect his mobile device? Many of the Smartphone manufactures offer some built in security with their operating system or provide additional apps which can be installed for securing your mobile data. Some options can be made available for your Android device:
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/protect-your-android-device/
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hotspotshield.android.vpn
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/hotspot-shield-vpn-for-iphone/id443369807?mt=8
You can also use Androids free from Google Play VPN Hotspot Shield; there is a free version and a purchase version. The app can protect itself from 1 million known threats. Another interesting app for Android would be CM Security AppLock & Anti-Virus; it is a bundled package to protect for virus and Wi-Fi security all in one.
I am all PRO when it comes to accessibility and being connected to a digital world at a fraction of the cost. The only mountain to climb would be keeping up to date with all the security trends and holes to be patched with a publicly open network. To be honest we are not far off from this type of environment with the technology that is currently in place, there just needs to be a little more research on how to maintain it, govern it, and put it to good use. But in todays digital world that can be a little difficult to come by.
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