Tech Talk - Public Wi-Fi Connections & Drones in the News

Tech Talk – Public Wi-Fi Connections & Drones in the News

Published on: December 14th, 2017

THIS month we have been bringing various safe technology topics to you, and today we have one more: using public Wi-Fi connections safely. Do you know how hackers use public connections in order to intercept and steal your sensitive information? Do you know what steps you can take to minimize the risks? What sort of sites to avoid when using an unsecure public connection? Read on and we will help you navigate the shark-infested waves as safely as possible, because we care about you and want to help keep your information safe and secure.

On the lighter side, literally, we have a couple of drone stories to share with you, one using this high tech device for high tech story-telling, and the other, well, let’s just say it makes quitting time really obvious. Happy exploring!

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Love That Public Wi-Fi – And The Hackers Love You To Use It!

You’re taking a break at the mall food court and decide to see what’s happening with your email, and maybe check in at the office. Your laptop, IPad or Smartphone gives you a list of open Wi-Fi channels. What to choose, what to choose? McDonald’s Guest, Absolutely Free Internet, or Macy Really Free Wi-Fi?

I hope you chose McDonald’s, because the others are blatantly bogus, but meant to capture your attention. Data plans are so expensive they nearly drive us to use Wi-Fi wherever and whenever we can get it, but not all Wi-Fi connections are safe to use. Many are bogus connections set up by hackers in an attempt to steal your passwords and information. Others may be legitimate, but have been infiltrated and are being monitored by hackers waiting to steal from you.

Worse than that, if you log into your work computer system over a public Wi-Fi connection and a hacker intercepts your information they can then access your work computer as if they were you. Imagine the havoc that can cause. What can you do?

* Be Aware that open connections are not safe and you should avoid visiting any sites that require you to pass sensitive information (this means avoiding online banking, social media, patient portals and the like.

* Verify Before Connecting – ask at the desk for the legitimate name of the Wi-Fi spot (and if they have a secure connection available, don’t be shy about asking for the password)
* Use “Semi-Open” networks if available
* Turn Off File Sharing and AirDrop Options
* Turn off Wi-Fi When Not Using
* Of Course: Keep Your Antivirus / Antimalware Software Up To Date
* Use HTTPS Everywhere Possible
* Use a VPN
* Bring Your Own Wi-Fi (yes, there is some cost involved, but the peace of mind and freedom to work securely may be more than worth it)

Sources:
LifeHacker Staff, LifeHacker.com
Wi-fi-FreeSpot Directory
Lifewire Guide to Free Wi-Fi Hotspots

CNN wins a first-of-its-kind waiver to fly drones over crowds

What sounds safer, a drone flying over an open-air crowd, photographing an event, or a helicopter hovering over the crowd with cameras rolling? Read about how CNN has won a waiver from the FAA to allow CNN to fly its “Vantage Robotics Snap drone over open-air crowds of people at altitudes of up to 150 feet.” This is a new precedent, as previous exemptions only allowed for a tethered drone to operate over people in closed set operations.

Hover here for the full story

Source: Darrell Etherington, techcrunch.com, 10/18/17

You work too much – time to go home!

Competition for jobs in Japan is extremely fierce, both in landing and keeping them, leading employees to work themselves to exhaustion. Many workers simply vanish and leave their jobs and lives due to debt, etc., while many others commit suicide. The problem has become so bad, with almost a quarter of Japanese companies reporting that their staff worked 80+ hours overtime a month, that a company has come up with a unique way to tell employees to go home: a shrieking, music-blaring drone.