Industry News Home More stories like this... RSS Feed

Airport Wi-Fi can compromise security

Plugging into Wi-Fi networks in airports can be an easy way of surfing the web on the move but this can also leave you exposed to online threats or worse - ID theft, it has emerged.

Cyber crooks are reportedly targeting such networks to snoop on unwary internet users in the hope of compromising their internet security and stealing their personal data, according to security expert David King of AirTight.

Forbes Magazine reports that Mr King recently dispatched his employees on a fact finding hacking mission to US airports where they made some startling discoveries.

The research revealed that some large airports were plagued by "rampant phony Wi-Fi hot spots created by phishers" while some were leaving their networks open to attack with poor or non-existent security.

They also discovered that almost all public networks did not use encryption yet they allowed user names and passwords to pass through the air.

Wireless networks use Wi-Fi Protected Access or WPA encryption as the standard internet security solution.

Stop identity theft. Protect your passwords and other personal and financial information from cyber criminals. Visit www.pctools.com to upgrade your protection