Toting a laptop computer is often an essential part of packing for a vacation, especially for the technophile in a lot of us. Most of us want to do a bit of work – by periodically checking our emails and documenting our mementoes – by filing away and organizing our digital photos. It is likewise convenient that many resorts and hotels offer Wi-Fi Internet access, as this is also one key factor that most vacationers consider when selecting board and lodging.
Turning on your laptop or logging on to the Net, however, does present some risks. Hotels often charge a relatively higher fee to grant the guest access to the Net, and many opt to pay via their credit card. Once on the World Wide Web, one may discover a few items one wants to purchase, and opt for the credit card payment method again.
It has been known far and wide that paying via plastic does come with some potential hazards. Nevertheless, a lot of us do it all the time and think that the chances of us being duped electronically are slim to none, right?
Risky Business
A particularly ingenious ‘entrepreneur’ may have created a legitimate-looking login page or a duplicate of the hotels. This was most likely done to intercept the user’s personal and financial data to be used for whatever nefarious ends. These ‘businessmen’ do not necessarily have to be hackers or webmasters since creating a bogus access point is easily achieved with available firmware and a Wi-Fi capable laptop.
Programs tailor-made for purposes of fleecing appropriate information can take packets of information (quite literally) out of thin air. A steady access point signal and proper Wi-Fi standard may have an effective radius of around a hundred meters. Third-party products can even reap the weakest signals at larger distances, thereby increasing the criminal’s reach.
“Sniffer”-type programs can also decode encrypted information, such that reputedly protected connections are open to access. Rock-solid encryption may even be breached only through nominal addition to the criminals’ efforts.
What Happens Next?
If some pieces of credit card information, for example, had been stolen, then the repercussions may be no more than a few additional purchases made with your credit card. The credit card provider may also be able to recompense the victim for the illegitimate purchases made – if the credit card owner supports his or her claim with enough proof, but what if several large purchases were made? The reimbursement process may take a lengthy amount of time and much effort.
Another mishap could happen if login information, such as one’s email account and/or password is acquired. The wily attacker may use the email and the personal/financial data contained therein (registration with Internet shops, online forums, and social networks), and exponentially broaden his or her operations from there. This case is analogous to the ripple effect - a pebble thrown in a pond. A seemingly tiny action could turn into much havoc.
Forearmed is Forewarned
It appears that most of us are powerless against such ‘cons’. The most that we can do is increase the security of our information by carefully selecting the networks we use, the sites we patronize, and the information that we release into the wilderness of the Internet. Arm yourself with knowledge – such as “How often should I change passwords?”. The familiarity with potential trends and threats will help you develop a better sense of avoiding such traps. When you think about the worst that could happen, even a little effort on one’s part isn’t a hefty price to pay.
Anne Envisonite - Having graduated from University in Journalism, I am now a full time freelance writer with a passion for I.T. You can follow some of my ...
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