Thread Content
Reminder: Avoid two common traps driven by the desire for a cheap deal. There are currently two types of WiFi traps, and the first one is setting traps. Hackers use their mobile devices to set up free WiFi networks in public places, taking advantage of people’s desire to use WiFi for free in order to trick them into falling for their schemes. Some of those who fall victim are not motivated by a desire for a cheap deal, but rather belong to those who are unaware of the truth. Li Tiejun said that these users are unaware that these networks are insecure, as their network settings have WiFi connected automatically – it connects as soon as there is free WiFi available – and they use it once connected to WiFi. Li Tiejun advises users not to use free WiFi whenever they see it; instead, they should use reliable WiFi access points, such as those found in cafes and other public places. These venues have their own free WiFi, but usually a password is required to access it, so users can ask the staff for the password. Secondly, users should not set their network settings to automatically connect to WiFi networks, in order to avoid falling into hackers’ traps; instead, they should set the WiFi connection to manual mode and turn it on only when they need to use it. The second type of WiFi trap is an attack. This is mainly aimed at some home network users. It is understood that in some households with broadband internet connections, people use their modems as small WiFi transmitters to facilitate mobile internet use around the home. However, while such mobile networks facilitate users, they also provide hackers with easy access for intrusion. There are many tools available today for cracking home networks; the people who accessed networks without permission, as reported by the media in the past, used such tools to crack the passwords of home WiFi networks. Once hackers crack a home WiFi network, they may be able to remotely control the user’s devices. Experts say: Hackers use WiFi to easily steal information. Are free WiFi networks a security risk? In response to this, Li Tiejun, an information security expert at Kingsoft, said that hackers have previously used fake WiFi networks to steal users’ information. However, due to the limited functions of mobile devices back then, few people used WiFi networks, so hackers were not as rampant at that time. Another reason is that the WiFi network environment was not as good as it is now; it was only after the three major telecom operators added more WiFi hotspots that more people began to use WiFi for internet access, which in turn provided hackers with more opportunities. Li Tiejun revealed that if users use WiFi networks set up by hackers in public places, the hackers can monitor the communications of those who connect to these networks. If a hacker believes a particular user could be useful, they can then use various tools to capture and analyze instant messages as well as the web pages the user visits, in order to obtain the information they want. At the same time, Li Tiejun said that especially netizens who use their mobile phones to trade stocks should be cautious when using such free Wi-Fi. Li Tiejun said that the communication of some stock trading apps is not encrypted, making it easy for hackers to crack it using the internet in order to carry out surveillance. Once a user uses a hacker’s network for an extended period of time, the hacker can illegally steal the user’s account details and passwords. Moreover, the hacker may use various technical methods to gain access to the user’s devices, including computers and mobile phones. Once they have obtained such access, the hacker can remotely control the user’s devices, even by installing malware on them. Recommendation: It is relatively safer to choose an operator’s network. In public places, the free WiFi hotspots provided by domestic operators currently offer a higher level of security; users can obtain free WiFi usernames and passwords through phone calls or text messages. Li Tiejun reminds netizens that they can also use the more secure 3G network; domestic carriers currently offer a variety of plans for users to choose from. If a user’s monthly data usage is low, they can opt for the 2G or 3G data plans provided by the carriers. Currently, China Telecom has over 100,000 WiFi hotspots across the country; in Guangdong Province alone there are over 10,000 such hotspots, while Guangzhou has 2,496 WiFi hotspots. These hotspots are mainly located in five types of public places: airports, train stations, bus stations, ferry terminals, and sports venues. It is reported that Guangdong Telecom has provided free WiFi internet access for China Telecom mobile phone users. In areas with free WiFi, users can obtain a free account via their phones, and after simple authentication, they can use WiFi for high-speed internet access. The transmission power of WiFi shall not exceed 100 milliwatts; the actual transmission power is around 60-70 milliwatts. In comparison, smartphones have a transmission power ranging from 200 milliwatts to 1 watt, so their radiation level is relatively higher. If internet users are in hotels, cafes, or other places that offer free internet access and are using the free WiFi, they must pay close attention to the WiFi network name to avoid falling victim to hackers’ traps. If you are at home, do not use randomly available wireless networks that require no password and of unknown origin, to avoid falling victim to phishing. Even for a wireless network that one has set up themselves, Li Tiejun advises users to change their home WiFi password regularly, and to use a strong password rather than choosing some simple numbers.