Beware Of This Very Dangerous “Free Wi-Fi” Travel Scam
If you travel with a laptop, be very careful with hooking up to just any wireless hot spot. If the hot spot is labeled “free wi-fi”, use caution. Whether you are in a hotel, Starbucks, or an airport, one common travel scam has been for hackers to set up a non-secured hot spot that unsuspecting people hook up to.
It’s actually not a “free wi-fi” hotspot that they are connected to, but to the hacker’s computer. The hacker can see the user’s passwords, financial information, and anything else that they are doing on their computer.
This leaves their files and all of their personal information at risk. Many identity theft scams are caused by people who unknowingly hooked up to one of these networks. Also, the hacker can label the network anything they want. So if you are in a Starbucks and you see two networks named “Starbucks”, this doesn’t mean that both of those networks are actually being run by Starbucks.
Ad Hoc Networks
These type of networks are called ad hoc networks. All of your information can be seen on the hacker’s computer because you are unknowingly using his computer to use the internet. You can determine what kind of network you are connecting to by looking at the description of the network. If it says “computer to computer” rather than wireless network, then it is an ad hoc network, and you should stay away from it.
In Windows Vista, there is no description. Instead you must look at the picture beside the network. If there is one computer, then you are connection to a normal network. If there are several computers, then it is an ad hoc network. You should NOT connect to this network. Windows Vista users are the easiest targets of one of these attacks because it isn’t as easy to tell what kind of network that you are connecting to.
Also, anytime, you are on an unsecured network, it is a very good idea to turn off file sharing on your computer. Keep your information safe, and be careful when hooking up to an unsecured network.
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Great idea for a new site – Scams are getting a bit more rampant in Spain with the financial crisis, so having this information out there will be so beneficial for travelers.
Cat of Sunshine and Siestas recently posted…Tapa Thursdays: A Gastronomic Experience at Restaurant Puerto Blanco in Calpe
Thank you!! Yes, I’m hoping it will also encourage more people who are currently afraid to travel to get out there and travel by knowing what to be aware of!!
Ugh – I hate those networks! They can be so frustrating when you need wifi, and then even harmful sometimes 🙁
Adam recently posted…Getting Around Israel – Public Transportation Tips
True, it’s often a bad idea to join “Free-Wifi” – most frequently seen at airports. I travel with a VPN, so even on a more trustworthy network I join I can encrypt the connection – a helpful lesson learnt from living in China.
Steve recently posted…In Photos: The Mayan ruins at Palenque
That is great advice, Steve!
what excellent advice – THANK YOU!
wanderingeducators recently posted…Far Off Places
Always pays to double check. I second Steve’s advice of traveling with a VPN!
Jennifer Miller recently posted…Paraparaumu to Pukerua Bay: My feet hurt
Very helpful – I had no idea as I generally don’t travel with my laptop that often. I will be soon though!
Yikes! Thank you for this useful warning.
Lillie – @WorldLillie recently posted…Is a Cape Cod Vacation Worth It? 6 Reasons Why…
Wow, thank you, I did not know this! Great advice, I have seen those networks, and have wondered sometimes why there were 2 Starbucks or what have you networks. Gaaa scams!
Bell | Wanderlust Marriage recently posted…5 Ways to Know You’ve Become European
Scary. Is the best way to be sure, to look at the network description and be sure to use, say, Starbucks or the hotel’s (or wherever you are)?
Jennifer recently posted…Fun Packages at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Denver Downtown
Actually, Jennifer, they can name the network whatever they want, so you will still want to make sure to look at the description and make sure it is an actual network that you are connecting to.
Thanks for the tip! I’m likely to be much more careful with my wifi now!
Bethaney – Flashpacker Family recently posted…Slow Travel – The Way to Go
I sometimes get a laugh out of funny unsecured network names e.g., CIA. I definitely don’t connect to networks willy nilly!
Great tip, Val. And a very useful site.
Larissa recently posted…Road trip in Africa: How to take a self-drive safari
Thanks for the warning. I’ve never thought twice about connecting to a free wi-fi . You may have just saved me from a big financial headache!
Mary @ Green Global Travel recently posted…INTERVIEW: Blackfish Documentary Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite Takes On Sea World
A good option is to use a VPN software. That way, even if you use a fake wifi network, they can’t see any of your data.
Mark recently posted…Keeping Your Android Device Protected from Malware
That is very true, Mark! Thanks for the tip.