Federal Government Recommends VPN Service for Wireless Users

Federal Government Recommends VPN Service for Wireless Users

Where can I find a wireless hotspot?
Restaurants, coffee shops, and other establishments offer free WiFi as a way to attract customers. It is a growing trend for businesses to offer this service, and more companies than ever are becoming WiFi hotspots. While this feature can be very convenient for many people, users must be aware of the added security problems it creates. Anyone who uses a public wireless network must protect themselves with a VPN service.

How is my personal information at risk?
Would you write all of your banking information and personal data on a piece of paper and wave it around in front of a group of strangers? Of course you wouldn't. However, that is pretty much what you are doing when you access the Internet through a shared network without a VPN service. Whenever you link to an insecure network with strangers, you stand the chance of having your information stolen without your knowledge.

How do you know if a network is secure?
If you are not required to enter a password then your information is being broadcast to everyone for a mile around in the clear. If you enter a password, then your information is possibly still being broadcast to everyone connected to the hotspot... do you trust them? Was that even the hotspot that you thought is was? It's very easy to set up a 'fake' hotspot with a name that 'looks' official but is just sitting waiting for someone to connect to it. Any information you transmit while connected to an insecure network is at risk. Also, your computer is an open target for attack from others on the same network. Do not use any public wireless hotspot without the use of a VPN service for private browsing.

How reliable is a VPN service?
The technology industry and the federal government have come together to create a resource that helps consumers protect themselves from Internet fraud and identity theft. The website onguardonline.gov covers a wide range of topics that educate and warn the public about scams, hackers, and spyware among other things. According to this source, a VPN service is one of the best ways to protect your information.