Wi Fi Zone questions

travel_freak

Hi,

Whilst at work recently and using my laptop, the screen flashed up with the usual message "wireless network found do you want to connect". I had a look at the options and one of them was "Wi Fi Zone - the Cloud" - it was an unprotected option.

How can I find out whether this is one of the free to use and OK to use zones rather than someone's private connection that it would be illegal to use?

Also if it is a free to use wi fi zone what risks are there that people can see what's going on on my laptop and my private info?

Sorry for so many questions but am a bit clueless - it would be really handy to be able to get online at work during those quiet moments....

Thanks in advance

Regards

espresso

If you had tried to actually connect to the Cloud, it would have prompted you for payment details i.e. it is not free to use. If you use an unsecured WiFi network, your details could be sniffed by anyone in range. People have been known to set-up 'free' WiFi in busy places like airports, specifically to get users personal details etc.

CHR15

Sneaky swines have also set theirs up to show a payment page when you connect.

As espresso said, once you innocently sign up, they have your card details.

If you HAVE to use a Hotspot, speak to someone (e.g. hotel receptionist) to make sure you are connecting to the correct network.

Good advice is to not use it for an kind of shopping either.

travel_freak

Hi there,

Many thanks for this good advice - I thought it seemed too good to be true!

Regards,