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the truth about WiFi

Public WiFi networks are just that. Public. Learn how here.

Every email, every IM, and every website is exposed.

Using simple software readily available on the Internet, hackers can intercept wireless signals at coffee shops, airports, airplanes, or even your hotel room. It's called "sniffing." And firewalls or anti-virus software can't protect you. Hackers can steal any confidential data your users send—about clients, contracts, customers, partners, or patients—literally out of the thin air.


Stop WiFI Snoopers with a VPN: PRIVATE WiFi on WPIX NY

Posted on Thursday, May 16th, 2013 by

As WPIX NY reporter James Ford explains, “Public WIFi is a great and helpful tool and coverage is expanding… but also expanding is its potential danger to you.”

Most people don’t realize that public WiFi are just radio waves, similar to the type that you can listen to in your car. And just as easy as it is to find your favorite station, a hacker can use public WiFi to listen in on you!

Read on to find out how you can use a VPN like PRIVATE WiFi to stop WiFi snoopers from spying on your data on public WiFi. Read More

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Twitter Chat Sponsored by ITRC and PRIVATE WiFi Raises Awareness of Public WiFi Dangers

Posted on Wednesday, May 15th, 2013 by

Earlier this month, PRIVATE WiFi and The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) co-hosted the monthly ID Theft Twitter Chat. The ITRC hosts these monthly events in an effort to engage consumers in discussion about the issues surrounding identity theft. As the ITRC believes that cyber security is an important part of protecting from identity theft, the issue of public WiFi is of of utmost importance. Many of the participants felt as strongly about the risks of WiFi usage and there was a lot of great input.

Read on to discover the highlights of the chat. Read More

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Hacked in the Subway: PRIVATE WiFi Featured on WNBC

Posted on Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 by

“Turns out free WiFi has a price,” explained WNBC New York’s Andrew Siff in a recent segment.

As public WiFi connections expand in New York City’s subway system, Siff recognized the security implications. To get a better understanding, he spent some time underground with PRIVATE WiFi’s CEO Kent Lawson and Product Growth Manager Raj Devjani.

According to WNBC, “Computer security experts say the same advice that applies at coffee shops and parks and other places where you can tap into free hotspots needs to be reinforced underground… Experts recommend that riders… [on] public Wi-Fi should use a VPN, or virtual private network, to protect their correspondence.” Read More

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The FBI and SOeC Endorse VPNs for Securing Mobile Devices

Posted on Thursday, May 9th, 2013 by

Securing Our eCity Foundation (SOeC), in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has developed a Public Service Announcement featuring five tips for keeping yourself safe on your mobile device.

In this PSA, airing on San Diego’s NBC 7, FBI Special Agent Darell Foxworth states, “Securing your mobile device is essential to keep your data out of the hands of crooks.”

Agent Foxworth provides the following steps for protected yourself:

  1. Lock your device with a passcode.
  2. When using public WiFi, limit using e-mail, social networking, shopping, and banking, unless you have a secure Virtual Private Network, or VPN.
  3. Keep your device up to date. When software patches are available, use them.
  4. Avoid questionable apps, and only download from trusted sources.
  5. Always back up your data.

Read More

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Identity Theft and Public WiFi Twitter Chat: Thursday, 5/2

Posted on Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 by

Public WiFi use is growing, but are you aware of the dangers? During Thursday, May 2′s #IDTheftChat, co-hosted by the Identity Theft Resource Center (@ITRCSD) and Private WiFi (@privatewifi), we will explain that public WiFi is not secure and how using public WiFi can lead to identity theft.  Please join us for May’s edition of identity theft twitter chat! Read More

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Paying for “Free” Wireless With Your Data: Social WiFi

Posted on Wednesday, April 17th, 2013 by

What happens when WiFi becomes socialized and companies start harnessing the power of social media to drive business? That is where, Purple WiFi enters the arena, and if the concept of “Social WiFi” makes you weary, you are on the right path. You end up paying for that “free” WiFi, with your most valuable asset: your data! Read More

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Bring Your Own Device or Bring Your Own Disaster: How BYOD Can Jeopardize Your Company’s Sensitive Information

Posted on Monday, October 15th, 2012 by

Bring your own device has become the mantra of millions of employees who want to use their own mobile devices to get the job done wherever they are.  BYOD can mean more freedom, flexibility and productivity for workers in and out of the office.  But it can also open the door a host of security problems for their companies. Find out how your business can prevent bring your own device from turning into bring your own disaster Read More

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Is Public WiFi Safe? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Posted on Tuesday, October 9th, 2012 by

In the past year public Wi-Fi usage has gone up 240%, but the questions we should be asking: do we need to protect ourselves when we use it and how can be keep ourselves secure? A recent survey by the Identity Theft Resource Center in conjunction with PRIVATE WiFi indicates that 79% of respondents believe that free wireless can lead to identity theft. The findings are clear: a personal VPN is your best line of defense. Read More

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Hotspots in Strange Places Show We Need to Connect Wherever We Are

Posted on Friday, September 21st, 2012 by

By 2015, the number of public Wifi hotspots dotting the planet will reach a staggering 5.8 million. Most of them will be in the usual spots where we travel, work and play.  But that doesn’t seem to be enough for some intrepid Wifi explorers. They’re searching for locations off the beaten path where they can set up hotspots and connect.  And they’re doing it in some pretty far out places.

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What’s a VPN and why should I have one?

Posted on Wednesday, September 19th, 2012 by

I expect a large number of people have heard the initials VPN, and most of those understand that it is related to having a secure connection, and is usually related to connecting to work resources.  VPN means Virtual Private Network, and if you look it up on Wikipedia, you will find a large amount of information about the technology, its specifications, and history.  But, the important fact for us users is that VPN technology allows us to use public networks, such as the Internet, in a manner that keeps the information we are sending and receiving on our computer encrypted and secure from others using the Internet.

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