Wireless Computing Tips

Part of the "Surviving College" series

Many colleges now offer wireless access on campus as well as traditional wired networks. For those of us who are newly freed from wires and the confines of our dorms, apartments, and campus labs for computing, this can seem quite wonderful.

However, do not make the mistake that wireless computing is just the same as getting on the Internet at home. The big difference is that anyone can intercept your wireless signal if you are on an unsecured network, and can see what you are doing. But there are a few other things to keep in mind when you are using wireless computing, whether you're on- or off-campus.

1. Connect to a secured network if you can. This will avoid a lot of problems that can come up when people use an unsecured network. Some college campuses offer both an unsecured wireless network for visitors and a secured network for students and faculty. Find out how to connect to the secured network as soon as you know that you will be using a wireless computer on-campus.
2. When you are looking for wireless connections, look for the signals that have a little padlock icon (or similar "lock-and-key" imagery) beside it. These are usually the secured networks, and your college campus network will probably be one of them.
3. If you are setting up a wireless network at your apartment, make sure that you have your signal encrypted so that other people cannot intercept it. Also, make sure you rename your wireless router something that is very different, so that other people won't accidentally try to sign on to your network.
4. Try not to check your bank account, personal email account, Facebook, Myspace, etc. when you are on an unsecured network. Since people can intercept your signal, they could possibly get hold of your usernames and passwords, and subsequently wreak havoc on your online life.
5. If you must check email, bank balance, or get on another site that requires a login and password while you are using an unsecured network, make sure to go through the site's logout process right after you are finished. DON'T just close out the browser window--this can leave your information hanging out in the middle of nowhere.
6. Don't turn on your browser's AutoComplete feature for filling out forms when you are using an unsecured wireless connection. This is another way that unscrupulous people can get hold of your personal information.
7. Don't "borrow" another person's unsecured wireless network without asking first. This technique, referred to as "war-driving," is actually very illegal and can get both you and the person whose Internet you are using in trouble.
8. Some cities now have free wireless access available in certain places. Be especially careful while using these access points--these networks are usually unsecured, so people can monitor what you are doing online. These networks are not the place for sensitive computing such as checking online bank information, purchasing items online from eBay, and filling out forms with your real name, address, and other such information.
9. Run a spyware and anti-virus scan on your computer after each use of wireless Internet.
10. Lastly: Don't do anything stupid/illegal while you're using wireless Internet. Not only is it much easier to catch people illegally downloading media and hacking into other people's computers when they are on wireless networks, but any illegal activities you engage in can get other users on the network in trouble as well, even if they were innocent. (Of course, don't do anything stupid/illegal while you're on wired networks, either--both will get you kicked out of college fast.)