One of the most common tactics used by folks in the service industry is free Wi-Fi. It draws in people who want to work out of the office in places such as coffee shops, restaurants, and book stores… but how much can you actually trust that free wireless access? We think it’s probably shadier than you think, and if you’re smart, you’ll avoid using it for the following reasons.
Does the Network Actually Belong to the Organization?
It helps to practice a little bit of scrutiny while you’re navigating the world of free Wi-Fi.
There’s really no telling who owns any particular network you see while you’re out and about. A hacker could easily set up a wireless network and assign a name similar to a local business. They could then use that network to steal data from your devices, all without being in the physical area.
If you’re ever in a position where you want to use public Wi-Fi or need to use it for any reason, ask the business for their network details. They should be able to tell you which network name is legitimate, as well as what the passcode is (it should always be a protected network). If you don’t see a sign posted with this information, ask someone, and don’t assume that any unlocked network is safe.
Public Wi-Fi Isn’t Trustworthy
It’s an accepted norm that public wireless networks leave much to be desired in terms of network security, so you will want to avoid using them if possible.
That doesn’t make them any less useful, particularly if you have all the necessary precautions in place. It’s important to keep in mind that anyone can access these networks, and they could have the desire to steal your data or snoop on your activity. This is why having a virtual private network, or VPN, is important. It can encrypt your data and ensure that no other device on the network can see it.
If you’re not already using a VPN, you should be, as the benefits largely outweigh the cost.
If You Want to Provide Free Wi-Fi, Keep These Tips In Mind
As we’ve already established, free wireless is a great tactic to get customers in the door, but you’ll want to ensure that you take the appropriate precautions to ensure you’re setting up a secure network—for both your customers and your business.
First, we recommend you set up a secondary wireless network for your guests so they don’t have to use the bandwidth and resources that your employees depend on. This protects your network from activity on the guest network and ensures your team can do their jobs unimpeded by the activity of that second network. Your second network should also be password-protected; in other words, it should be just as secure as your primary network.
Lantek can aid your business in implementing secure and reliable wireless networks for any and all purposes. To learn more, contact us at (610) 683-6883 today.