Free or unsecured Wi-Fi, putting sensitive information at risk

norton hotspot privacyNorton has released Norton Hotspot Privacy which the company describes is a new service that helps protect consumers using public Wi-Fi connections.  Available in the U.S. and U.K. for Mac and PC, Norton Hotspot Privacy has been designed to automatically create a private connection – or virtual private network – allowing users to decide what they share online, irrespective of where they connect to the Internet.

It’s estimated that two-thirds of online adults use free or unsecured Wi-Fi networks, such as coffee shops, airports and public parks.  But along with the convenience come risks of exposing sensitive information to cybercriminals. Now with Norton Hotspot Privacy the company says that it will enable users to become ‘invisible’ on the network and also encrypt their username, password and other confidential information they may be entering online. Consumers can sign into the Norton Hotspot Privacy Web portal, download the client and the VPN will automatically configure to create a private connection.

While a significant amount of online adults who use free or unsecured Wi-Fi have concerns about the security of those services, the truth is many are still putting sensitive or financial information at risk by accessing personal information such as email and social networking sites via free or unsecured Wi-Fi.  Meanwhile, hijacking or “sniffing” Wi-Fi is easier than ever. Using free, legal apps or hardware costing less than £70 ($100), hackers can gain access to online banking, email and social networking information transmitted via even password-protected Wi-Fi networks.

“Increasingly, public Wi-Fi is a part of everyday life, providing people with a convenient way to connect on the go,” said Dave Cole, vice president, product management, Consumer Business Unit, Symantec Corporation. “With Norton Hotspot Privacy, consumers are able to take advantage of the convenience of public Wi-Fi, with the confidence of knowing their information is secure and their online activities remain private.”

Main features of Norton Hotspot Privacy

• Creating a secure, private connection that cannot be seen by eavesdropping software
• Making the user “invisible” on public networks, so no one can track or monitor their online activities
• Protecting the user’s entire Wi-Fi session when surfing the Web
• Encrypting the user’s connection, so usernames, passwords, credit card numbers and other confidential information remain safe
• Providing the user with unlimited bandwidth on up to five devices

For more information, visit mobilesecurity.com for additional insights from Norton mobile security experts.

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