You are definitely aware of the fact of the warnings of using unsecure public hotspot wireless network. So, you are very much sure of the snoop capturing information when traveling across those hotspots. However, seeing your information being eavesdropped is the best way to understand the intensity of using unsecure Wi-Fi.
For instance, you can drop at local coffee shop the very next day and imbibe the airwaves and find out what you can see. Well, your intention should not be to hack someone’s personal computer or device- because this is absolutely unlawful. But, you should just aim at listening. It should not be more than overhearing someone’s walkie-talkie conversation. Just like walkie-talkie or CBs, wireless networks operate on public airwaves that give access to anyone nearby to tune into.
As you can proceed, you can see how it is easier to capture sensitive content at the common public hotspots such as restaurants, airports, cafes, hotels and so on.There are many illegal activities that you can do without anyone’s knowledge.
You can eavesdrop someone else’s emails, passwords, unencrypted messages. It does not end here. You can easily steal unsecured logins to many websites. However, luckily there are ways to safe guard your online activity at anytime you are out with your laptop and other wireless devices.
How can be important files bugged
Catching web document:
You go to a local coffee shop with your laptop and open it there. Start catching Wi-Fi signals known as 802.11 packets using a free trial of a Wi-Fi network analyzer. The packet will soon be captured on your screen much faster what you could imagine within a minute. Now stop capturing the signal and analyze what you have vacuumedup.
You can search for packets having HTML codes to find out which websites are browsed by other hotspots users. If you look into other’s website, you can find nothing exciting. But, whatever you can see they are enough to give you a lot of information. You can first get to see a HTML code which is displayed as a regular view page. Though the formatting appears to be little gibberish, plenty of information can be viewed. With regard to this, if you use an app to connect to your email services without any encryption, anyone can see your login details as well as the message.
If anyone gathers this information to configure his email client, he can easily use your account and receive emails. At the same time, message can also be sent via your email account.
From this,one lesson can be learnt that unencrypted messaging service can never be used with expectation of privacy.
Catching FTP login documents
If you use File Transfer Protocol or FTP to upload, download, or share files; you should never try to connect them with hotspots that is unsecured. This is because most File Transfer Protocol servers operate on unencrypted connectivity, therefore content and login details are sent in simple text. And this is easier for snoops to capture those details. And this will enable them to have access to your websites.
Pirating email accounts
You might know that only PCs can be snooped. But, you should know that there are apps available that can enable one to gain access to personal accounts on popular web services like Gmail, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Yahoo and so on.
The worst part about this software is that it can find out and list many unsecure logins to several sites. Though it cannot get access to passwords to those sites, it can destroy susceptibility, allowing you to have access to someone else’s current session as well as the account in process.
If you use such software, you can easily get others’ login credentials within the range of the hotspots. Since, it is illegal to access other people’s login; you can open your Facebook login. Once you open your Facebook account, what can you see? You can magically access your Facebook account without providing your username and password.
So, when eaves dropping someone’s online credentials and other documents is so easy with unsecured Wi-Fi network, you are not trailing behind. Your important online details are susceptible to hacking too. In this situation, what will be your step to protect your data from eavesdropping?
The best way is to use public hotspot with some level of security.
- Your URL address should begin with https instead of http every time you log into a website. And be sure about your website that it is encrypted.
- You also need to ensure that your online sessions are encrypted as long as you are online.
- There are several websites that offer you the option of coding your whole session. This can be done on Facebook by allowing Secure Browsing in the Security settings.
- Using a VPN will help you encrypt your web browsing and other online activities.
So, protect your online activity and have fun.
