Wi-Fi hotspots are wireless services set up in coffee shops, airports and other public areas, enabling users to access the internet on their laptops, tablets and phones. Scammers sometimes use these hotspots in the commission of their crimes. Typically, they will set up their own “look alike” hotspot in the same area as an existing legitimate one. If you connect to the scammer’s hotspot and enter your credit card number or a login and password, you’ve opened yourself up to financial loss and identity theft. The scammer may also be able to read sensitive files on your laptop or introduce a virus or other malware, unless your machine is well secured.
To protect yourself you need to stay vigilant. Learn what the legitimate hotspots you use look like, since hackers cannot usually make a perfect copy. If even a tiny detail looks out of place, don’t connect to it, or if you’ve already connected disconnect immediately and inform the owner of the legitimate hotspot. Also pay close attention to the exact spelling of the hotspot’s SSID (the name displayed in the list of available networks); a look alike hotspot may have a misspelling in its SSID.
Make sure you have good anti-malware software (such as Norton 360) installed with an up-to-date subscription.
Install and activate VPN (virtual private network) software. A VPN encrypts your data, so that even if you are connected to a scammer’s hotspot they won’t be able to read your sensitive information.
NEVER enter a user name, password, social security number (even the last four digits), account number, drivers license number, credit card number, date of birth, mother’s maiden name or other sensitive information on a web page unless it’s secure; secure pages always have addresses that begin with https:// rather than the old http://; also, most browsers show a small image of a padlock with a closed shackle in the address bar when a secure page is being displayed, and either no padlock or one with an open shackle otherwise.