Too Good to Be True: “Free Public WiFi”
If you own a laptop, you’ve probably seen the option for “Free Public WiFi” when looking to connect online via WiFi. Of course, when you try it, it never seems to work; the computer says you’re connected but you can’t seem to go online. Well, as it turns out, it’s not a “real” connection, at least not the one you want.
A recent NPR story takes a look behind this infamous option. As it turns out, it comes from a weird Windows XP bug where when the computer auto-generates this ad hoc network when it can’t find or connect to its “favorite” wireless networks.
Source: CNET
While these connections are harmless for the most part, they do pose a threat to users and can make your device vulnerable to outside hacking. Lesson of the story, avoid connecting to “free” WiFi connections including Free Public WiFi, hpsetup, tmobile, or default, as NPR suggests. For those of you running Windows XP still, check to make sure you’re updated to Service Pack 3 which resolves the issue. Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
[NPR]