Plan.Meet.Repeat January February 2019 Issue plan meet repeat jan feb 2019 | Page 12
There is even an app for Android phones called
“Skimmer Scanner” that you can use to help verify the
integrity of the location you are at and alert you if it
detects any devices nearby.
Next, you stop at coffee shop to grab a coffee. While
you’re waiting, you decide to check your email. It only
takes a few minutes, and there could be several other
people in front of you and behind you as well as others
sitting at tables. You don’t know who any of these people
are – they could be other professionals like yourself,
but there could also be a criminal. The coffee shop has
free WiFi, so while you’re waiting, you connect to it,
download your email and respond to a few messages
before getting your coffee and heading back on the
road.
Little did you know that there was a hacker sitting
there with their laptop, monitoring anyone who
connected to the free WiFi. They use a program that
intercepts your insecure traffic and inputs, and now they
have your email user name and password. Just like that
they now can log into your account, change your
address, reset the passwords on your banking and
investment accounts and siphon the money off into
their own accounts. All of this can occur in just a few
minutes, so never connect to insecure WiFi networks
and conduct any type of transactions or do anything
that requires you to log into any accounts. Using them
for simple online searches or to read the news is fine,
but I would strongly recommend against connecting
to any open WiFi networks for any reason. Open
networks are huge security risks. Get in the habit of not
connecting to any WiFi network unless it is secure.
You may opt to use a secure VPN (Virtual Private
Network) to connect to your email or log remotely into
your PC from your laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Many companies use VPNs to help secure their
corporate networks, but you can use a VPN even if
you’re running a one-person company.
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Plan Meet Repeat Magazine Jan/Feb 2019
They are not difficult to configure, so ask your local IT
professional what it would take to set up one for your
business. As long as your router supports VPN
connections, they can be set up, configured and tested
in about an hour. If your router does not support
VPNs, you would have to replace it with one that does.
These routers are not expensive and start at around
$100, with better ones starting around $200.
Be sure to pay attention to the people, places and
objects around you always. If you are aware of your
surroundings, potential security risks and not
distracted by technology, you will be much safer and
improve your personal safety and security – no matter
where you are!
That’s all for this article...next we’ll see what threats
exist at the airport, the hotel and the convention center!
Until next time…stay safe!
Pete Canavan, Personal Safety
Expert
https://PeteCanavan.com
LinkedIn: mrpete
Twitter: @pjcpete
YouTube: BestSuccessTraining