Top 5 Rules for Wi-Fi security

Be cautious about signing into banking or other sensitive websites on a public network. Surfing the news on a public site is fine, but if possible, restrict logging onto your bank, email, or other sensitive accounts.

If you do sign into your email account or you must conduct banking transactions:

• Make sure you log into the correct Wi-Fi hotspot. It is easy to spoof a legitimate Wi-Fi name by creating a hotspot with a name like “FreeHotspot” or “StarbucksWi-Fi”. Make sure that you are connecting to the correct name. If unsure, ask. Remember, the SSID (Wi-Fi name) is CASE SENSITIVE. “FreeWiFi” is not the same as “freewifi.”
• Unless you know you are connected to an encrypted site (https) with your browser, assume that your Internet activity can be seen by others.
• If accessing sensitive information (banking, finance, etc.) or logging into sites requiring your password, make sure that your connection to the site is encrypted. An encrypted site URL will begin with https.
• Make sure that your computer has current anti-virus software and firewalls installed and enabled.
• Keep Windows and your anti-virus software up to date. Updates often address security issues. (Windows 10 automatically installs security updates.)

On your Windows laptop, when you create a wireless connection to a network you’ve not used before, Windows wants to know what kind of connection it is—a trusted network or a public network. When you are using a public hotspot, choose the Public Network option. This will limit other computers from connecting with your computer or device.