Here's how to stay safe on public free wireless networks, including Disney's:
Do all these as applicable to your platform:
* Be sure you are protected by up to date antivirus
* Be sure you are up to date for all operating system patches (you do auto-update, don't you?)
* Be sure all your applications are up to date, especially Flash, JAVA, Adobe Reader, and non-Microsoft browsers
When connecting:
* Be sure you are connecting to the official Disney Wi-Fi. If you see multiple similar names but slightly different, do not connect. The risk is that someone broadcasts their own signal to fool you into connecting to them instead
* Turn off all data sharing, or at least for Windows choose "public" for the network type and it will restrict access
* remove sensitive files from your machine (like open text lists of your passwords)
When using:
* Use the https form of all web sites with passwords or login information. If your webmail is http find out if there is a https version instead.
* Don't follow links or open attachments in your email unless you can verify they are safe some other way
* Once you are safely connected the risks are largely the same as any other.
* If your machine is clean and well protected as noted above, It is unlikely anyone on the same network can attack you any better than they can when you are at home or using your smartphone
MACs, Smartphones and tablets have not been as risk prone as Windows PCs,but that is changing... keep up with the best ways to secure all devices.
It has been reported that as many as 40% of all Windows PCs are infected. That means there may be software trying to steal your information. How well are you managing your security?
