The most common of these is the shared WIFI connection SCAM.

What basically happens is someone with a Laptop connects to third party WIFI locations, they then share the Internet connection and wait.

People then come along and try to connect to the these WIFI locations.

The only problem is, which network will they connect to ?. Generally it will be the Network with the strongest signal, so this would mean the shared bogus network.

After connecting you are asked for payment details, then you are basically giving your credit card details away.

Once you’ve done this you are allowed to access the internet from the bogus network, everything seems as normal, you can access the web, even get your email. But while you are doing this, the guy running the bogus network is also browsing, buying things on your credit card.

You just had a very expensive internet session.
Need to install a WIFI network ? , what is a WIFI network, what equipment do you need
Got a wireless network at home ? , is it protected ? , if not you could have big problems.

If your WIFI network has no protection anyone can basically connect to it, from here they can view any material dubious or otherwise on the web, and as far as your ISP is concerned that’s you browsing it.

If your Modem or Router is not protected anyone can connect and then add a password and stop you connecting or administering your own hardware.
Checkout our WIFI help page where we cover security
If anyone manages to connect to your WIFI network and they also administer your router, they can then also see which other devices are connected, any computers are now exposed, from here any protection offered by the router is useless as the intruder is on your local network. From here it’s entirely down to the amount of protection your computer has. If you need a hand to implement pc security checkout our security pages
Simple rules when connecting to unknown WIFI locations , never ever give out confidential information, such as credit card details.

Not everyone on the web is out to scam you, but it only takes one such individual to give you a real bad day.

Make sure your pc has security, plus a decent firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software. ( checkout our help pages for more on this )

So how can you reduce the risks of this happening to you ?

If in doubt simply don’t connect to any WIFI networks, try to find a hard wired connection instead.

It’s always good to register with a WIFI provider before you leave home, check on the web to find local hotspots in the area you’ll be visiting, then you may be able to setup an account before hand. So you won't have to give any bank card details as you'll already be registered.

Lastly, although this is not a WIFI scam, travelling with a laptop can make you a target, to have a laptop worth in excess of $2,000 means that a some people would love to get their hands on your laptop by any means.

This was highlighted to me when visiting Brazil, well known groups of individuals were stealing laptops from people at airports, they would simply either just walk up and take it while the person was busy at an info desk, or distract the person while someone else walked away with it, this happens everywhere.

So NEVER take your eyes off your laptop, even if you have to put it through an airport x-ray machine, " simply make sure there is no one in front of you, which could prevent you from seeing the laptop all the time".

A laptop case is generally easy to recognize, so changing the case to something a little less obvious will help, apart from that also make sure you keep hold of it all the time, never put it down, use the shoulder strap if you have no free hands.

So in a nutshell it really pays to make sure that you are aware when connecting to unknown WIFI locations, it is by no means a common occurrence, but unfortunately computer crime / scams are on the increase, everyone should be aware. Need to find WIFI locations / networks ? why not purchase a WIFI finder, they are cheap and make looking for a network a synch, some can even tell you which networks are protected and which are not, plus network name etc , very useful for checking a WIFI network before you connect.

Click on the Image to find out more about WIFI finders

Welcome to computer-adviser.com , WIFI locations scam article