The Private WiFi Blog Blog

Meet Heartbleed: The Huge New Security Flaw for Secure Websites

Have you heard of Heartbleed? This is a big deal if you care about your online security, as attackers can steal your website login information as well as other sensitive information like any credit card information exchanged with an online retailer website like Amazon and others.

What can you do? Keep reading.

Piggybackers Use Senior’s Unsecure Home WiFi Network for an Online Joyride

No one expects to get a $600 bill for basic wireless Internet service. But according to CBC News, that’s exactly what happened to Darlene Davies of Chilliwack, British Columbia. Davies normally pays $60 a month to use Rogers unsecured Rocket hub WiFi hotspot access point at home. So she was shocked when her monthly bill arrived and it was for 10 times that amount.

Davies said she didn’t know she had to add password protection to secure her home WiFi network. That left the door wide open for piggybackers to hop on her WiFi and rack up a huge bill.

Seattle Police Want to Track Citizens Using Municipal WiFi

Should we allow public WiFi networks to be used for surveillance purposes? Should law enforcement be allowed to store mobile-device data on all citizens (not just those involved in an investigation)? If you agree that we all have an inherent right to privacy, check out this article about what the Seattle police are doing now.

Are You Protected From Hackers on Public WiFi? [INFOGRAPHIC]

During tax season and beyond, it is hard to go a day without seeing a sign for free public WiFi at a local coffee shop, library, restaurant, airport, hotel, train station and countless other locations.  No matter where we go, WiFi is around us. While having instantaneous and constant access to wireless hotspots can be convenient, they also come with dangers and risks. Have you ever asked yourself whether you are protected against hackers and threats when using public WiFi?

Smartphone Privacy: Beyond The NSA

Smartphone privacy goes far beyond the NSA. Consider what your wireless carrier knows about you. Phone companies collect your data all the time, everything from your location, browsing, searches, and more…

In a Multi-device World, Expect More Risks to Your Online Security

Humanity reached an important mobile milestone this year. There are now more mobile devices than people on the planet.  Not surprisingly, part of what’s feeding the mobile frenzy is the growing number of consumers who are multi-device owners. More than 60% of online adults use at least two devices every day, according to a new study by GfK commissioned by Facebook. And more than 40% of those surveyed sometimes start an activity on one device but finish it on another. While that can make completing online tasks a lot more convenient, it can also expose your sensitive information to more online security risks. Each mobile device gives cybercriminals another access point they can exploit.

New Drone Can Hack Into Your Mobile Device

It’s a story straight out of science fiction: a drone flies around your neighborhood, accessing your smartphone or tablet, stealing your usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and even tracks your location. But this is not a science fiction story.  Glenn Wilkinson and Daniel Cuthbert, two “white hat” (or ethical) hackers who work for Sensepost Research Labs, have developed a drone called Snoopy, turning a normal video-capturing drone into a flying hacking machine.

The Dubious World of Website Certificate Authorities

HTTPs is secured with SSL encryption, but even sites using this technology are only safe to use if you are sure that the website is real. Did you know it’s possible for hackers to create fake websites that look very much like the real thing? Join us as we dive into the world of website certificate authorities and explain how a fake website poses as the real thing.

Attorney General Eric Holder Targeted for Tax Identity Theft

In a cruel twist of irony, U. S. Attorney General Eric Holder became a target of attempted tax identity theft just as the Justice Department is taking steps to fight such crimes.  Holder is calling for a national data breach law, requiring companies that have suffered a breach to be transparent and notify consumers of breaches.

Filing Your Taxes On A Public Library Hotspot Could End Up Costing You Plenty

It’s that time of year again, when thousands of taxpayers flock to public libraries to get free tax advice and help filing their returns. That kind of assistance can make doing your taxes a lot less taxing, but if you use the library’s open WiFi hotspot at any point during the process, it could end up costing you plenty. You might be wondering how we know for sure that public library WiFi hotspots can expose your sensitive information. We know because we checked.

Avoid Identity Theft When Shopping with an iPad: Consumer Reports Recommends Using a Personal VPN

Tablets are quickly becoming the favorite mobile device for online shopping. Their big screens and extreme portability make online browsing and buying a whole lot easier for consumers. But unfortunately, tablets have become a favorite target of identity thieves. That’s why Consumer Reports recommends using a personal VPN to avoid identity theft when you’re shopping or banking at WiFi hotspots with an iPad.