Don’t be deceived by dangerous “Free Public Wi-Fi”
computer-to-computer wireless connections

Have you ever connected to a “Free Public Wi-Fi” hotspot at an airport, park or coffee shop?

Don’t be fooled by this seemingly free connection. It is just a mirage that will not connect you to the Internet. In fact, you may end up connecting your computer directly to a hacker.

Normally, wireless connections are created and maintained by a router. However, an “ad-hoc” wireless connection can be created that connects two Wi-Fi enabled computers without a router. This type of connection is identifiable by the description “Unsecured computer-to-computer network”. Basically, if you connect to a “Free Public WiFi” network that shows a “computer-to-computer connection”, you enable a connection between your computer and another computer nearby.

But, nothing really happened? Of course not. You won’t notice anything happening but, as long as you are connected, your computer is an open book to the other person connected to you. In addition, as long as you leave the connection active on your computer, you are basically leaving a back door open for hacker to walk right in.

Why are there so many “Free Public Wi-Fi” connections available around the world? Basically, someone (we will call him Jack) created an “ad-hoc” network called “Free Public Wi-Fi” for a purpose at one time. When Jack was done using it, he didn’t turn it off, the connection stayed open on his laptop (the back door was left open). So, everywhere that Jack went, the “Free Public Wi-Fi” “ad-hoc” network was sure to broadcast. This broadcast signal was soaked up by other wireless enabled computers and when people noticed the connection, they immediately took it at face value, “Free”, and connected saving the settings on their computer.

Why would Jack set up an “ad-hoc” computer network? An “ad-hoc” connection is actually useful when transferring data from one computer to another. For example, you could connect your work computer to your laptop and download all the files you need for a business trip. Or, you could set up an “ad-hoc” connection to share a printer or the Internet between two computers in a safe environment. However, the “Free Public Wi-Fi” connections you find in public places can be dangerous and are not a Wi-Fi.

Internet connection that is free for everyone.

Airports are like a gold mine for hackers. They create these “ad-hoc” networks and label them as “Free Public Wi-Fi” to take advantage of unsuspecting users just fishing for an Internet connection. Then they just wait to see who will take the bait.

The best way for you to protect yourself is not to click on or connect to these types of wireless networks at all…

unless you are absolutely sure the connection is what you intended. If you are just looking for the Internet, an “ad-hoc” connection is not it. We encourage clients to configure their laptops to only connect with router-based networks. With Windows XP, a configuration option is available for you to select the specific types of connections you would like to use with your computer. Simply go to:

This will prevent your computer from ever connecting to an “ad-hoc” connection automatically.

If your wireless connections are controlled by a source other than Windows, you may have to dig a little further. Generally, there is a setting you can select or the device will display an error message when it tries to connect to an “ad-hoc” connection. Either way, stay away from “ad-hoc” networks.