Finding an unsecure and unknown wireless network is easy; we are usually surrounded by them. In any downtown business district you’ll find countless of unsecure wireless networks including ones belonging to banks who stupidly lack any type of wireless security.

Finding an unsecure and unknown wireless network is easy; we are usually surrounded by them. In any downtown business district you’ll find countless of unsecure wireless networks including ones belonging to banks who stupidly lack any type of wireless security.

Tempting that it may be to connect to an unsecure wireless network for free internet access it’s a highly dangerous thing to do for more than one reason.

Why you should never connect to an unknown network

Connecting to an insecure wireless network for free access is easy, hit connect and wait for your laptop to receive an IP address and you are ready. It’s actually easier to connect to an insecure network than your own wireless network as no security configuration needs to be performed. Security configuration really should be highlighted here.

Not only can connecting to an unsecure wireless network land you in trouble with the law it can also land you in trouble with a hacker, without you knowing any better. Hackers can lay down what it is called a honey pot; leaving a wireless connection open in hope that some greedy user will connect thinking they’ll have free internet access. Yeah you may get free access but that hacker may intercept all the data that’s being passed through the network, passwords and credit card details included.

If you see an unsecure wireless network, pass on connecting as it can bring more trouble than what its worth.