SecureEscanaba.org

Facebook on Friday afternoon was
investigating what appeared to be a new
spam scheme that results in users getting
messages from friends over Facebook chat
that have malicious links.
The messages say "LOL is this you?" and
are accompanied by a link that looks like it
leads to a video on Facebook, one victim
told CNET. In his case, clicking the link
directed to a Web page with a "404-Page
Not Found" error message and his account
sent the spam out to at least one of his
friends, he said.

Everyday people go about their business unaware of the silent dangers that surround
a person. One of these very real dangers is wireless internet networks. Every year
hundreds of thousands of people fall victim to some type of online fraud. In 2008 the
total dollar loss to online fraud was $264.6 million, and in 2009 it more than doubled to
$559.7 million. The number of online fraud complaints increased also by 22.3%. I
wonder what will 2010 bring? Even though a majority of these attacks have been
commited over "the wire" per say, attacks of wireless networks have also increased
over the years. This usually happens to wireless networks with weak or no encrytpion,
and/or weak or no passwords. Having a wireless network without password protected
encryption is like leaving the front door of your home open, allowing anyone to walk in
without your permission. A person could steal personal data from you ranging from
credit or debit cards, online accounts, and personal files from your computer. A person
could also commit online crimes from your internet connection leaving you to answer
the questions from law enforcement. So, let me ask you, are you at risk?

Wireless networks are everywhere, in the home, businesses, banks, and even in state
and federal buildings. Home is were people spend most of their time on the internet. So
obviously this is where you are most at risk. But even paying with a credit card for a
meal at a restaurant with poor wireless internet security could make fall victim to an
internet crime. Computers and credit card terminals of businesses are connected to the
internet, and with poor security can put your personal and financial information at risk.
So the next time you are about to hand over that credit card to pay for your purchase,
ask if they have a wireless network and if it has encryption? You might be surprised by
the answers you get. Another place of risk is public places that have free open internet.
Places like coffee shops, libraries, and airports. When you are at anyone of these
places and connect to these wireless access points along with a number of other
people on the same access point you are at risk. Being that you are on the same
wireless network it is possible to see what people are viewing on the internet, people
could steal your passwords, and even install malware on people's computers without
knowledge of any of this happening. So the next time you connect to a wireless
network think about where you are and what you are about to do on the internet.