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Why you should avoid "Free Public Wi-Fi" networks
"Free Public Wi-Fi" isn't actually free, isn't actually public, and isn't actually a Wi-Fi service, according to NPR. The issue occurs when an older version of XP can't find any of its favorite or saved wireless networks: it gives up, automatically creates an ad hoc network with the same name as the last one it connected to (for the sake of this article we're using the name "Free Public Wi-Fi"), and shows up on other computers within range. Those lured in the by the word "free" connect to it only to disconnect in frustration when they realize it's useless.
If you connect to such a network, chances are high that all you've done is connected to a computer whose owner is ignorant that he or she is broadcasting an ad-hoc network. That being said, there are always those who will purposely exploit this bug to gain access to your computer or the account credentials on it. Remember: Windows clearly shows the difference between a wireless network and a computer-to-computer network, and unless you're trying to get Internet from a friend, you'll almost always want to connect to the former.
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User Comments (8)
Post a comment|
dustin_ds3000
on October 11, 2010 6:53 PM |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_tnHHEFGKs - Hak5: Airport WiFi Challenge |
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Darth Shiv
on October 11, 2010 7:05 PM |
Wouldn't most people have SP3 now? |
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Flannelwarrior
on October 11, 2010 10:44 PM |
If I saw an ad-hoc network like that called "Free Public WiFi" I'd think only that there was a douche sitting somewhere near me preying on people who don't know how to computer. |
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tengeta
on October 12, 2010 12:30 AM |
I've noticed those before and ran away the second I noticed they were ad-hoc. I could see less experienced computer users double clicking it out of frustration in not being able to find Wi-Fi though. |
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Lokalaskurar
on October 12, 2010 1:00 AM |
I've never seen this "Free Public WiFi", although if I did, I'd be pretty sure to shut off the WiFi-card card and move to another location. Atleast now I know what to look out for. |
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Tanstar
on October 12, 2010 2:42 AM |
Darth Shiv said: Wouldn't most people have SP3 now? What he said. Why wouldn't you take a free upgrade? |
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freythman
on October 12, 2010 11:23 AM |
This... is... old news..... This has been around for a couple years.... GIVE ME SOMETHING RELEVANT! RAWR!!!! |
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jobeard
on October 13, 2010 11:55 AM |
The Windows 7 firewall has three choices for 'type of network': Home, Work & Public. While at a hotspot (free or otherwise), be sure to select the Public option and it will configure itself to stop access to your system for all those MS specific ports, eg: 137-139, 445 Users of other systems (XP, Vista) must learn how to configure their specific firewall product to do the same. |
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