Signature Integrated Travel Systems understands that one of
the perks that hotels are offering is free internet access for their guests.
They may say that the internet they provide is only for guests, but that is not
what really happens all of the time. The reality is that the hotel is offering
a public network to any computers that are in range of the network. It is different from the private networks
that people have in their home because there is no password needed to access
the network.
Signature Integrated Travel Systems says that because of
this, a hotel guest is at risk anytime they enter a free Wi-Fi network. In
order to limit the risk the guest of the hotel needs to do a few simple things.
Check to make sure you know the name of the hotel’s network.
A scam artist will often set up their own network with a name that resembles
the hotel’s network. If people use this network, they could end up having their
computer hacked.
Turn on the firewall and use a security program. These two
things can prevent anyone from getting into your computer when you are on a
public network.
Beware the sites you visit. While you are on the hotel’s
network, avoid sites that contain personal information. Bank sites and credit
card sites should be left alone until you return home advice the members of the
Scam Prevention Team.
Signature Integrated Travel Systems mentions that while it
is okay to use a network offered by a hotel, you need to be careful. If you are
not sure, do not use it. Stick with you private mobile hotspot that you got
from your cell phone carrier.