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Wireless - Network: Laptop Security Issues



There are increasing numbers of Wi-Fi public access points in airports, restaurants, libraries, and coffee houses that provide insecure or limited security Internet connections. The osuguest wireless service is also a non-secure service. While they are convenient, they also pose some security problems. Anyone with some easily available software can watch exactly what you are sending and receiving on your computer connected to one of these open connections.

Think of your laptop with a $1000 bill pasted to the top. Any place where you leave it is a temptation for theft.

Here are some tips for reducing your risk.

  1. Assume someone is intercepting everything you do on your Internet connection and attempting to break into your computer when using a public wi-fi access system.

  2. Before entering any personal information make sure you have an encrypted connection. Look for the padlock icon on your browser, indicating that you are using a secure web site. You will normally see the https:// in the web site name at the top of your web browser. Type these address in manually or use your bookmarks, never get to one by clicking a link in an email message!

  3. Don't position yourself where others can see your laptop screen through the window, via a mirror, or from closeby. Sit where your laptop screen is facing a wall, or another spot where people can not see your screen.

  4. Encrypt all sensitive data. Better yet, use a program such as PGP to encrypt your entire hard disk. Then, if your laptop is stolen, the thief can not remove the hard disk and read the data on it.

  5. Use a physical lock to secure your laptop computer to an immobile desk or chair. It is easy to lift up a chair or table leg and slip the lock cable off the bottom.

  6. Protect yourself from others attempting to break into your computer by using personal firewall software to prevent outside unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer. Turn off ad-hoc connections. Set firewall policies based on the location/networks you are connecting from.

  7. If connecting to your office/department/OSU resources you should always use a VPN connection, such as OSU's VPN (Virtual Private Network) service to secure and encrypt your connection.

  8. Make sure you have a backup of your laptop, or at the very least a copy of all critical files on another device in case the laptop is damaged or stolen.

A presentation on Simple Laptop Security in Portable Document format (.pdf) format is also available from the OSU Buckeye Secure web site.

If a laptop is stolen report it to the police and file a report. If there was a potential compromise of sensitive OSU information also report it to OSU IT Network Security Incident Response team at security@osu.edu. It is also a good idea to change your passwords to all computer systems to which you have access to prevent those accounts being compromised.

Current Record: 3978

Create Date: 02-02-2009
Last Reviewed: 02-11-2009

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