Using Starbucks’ WIFI? Security Pro Issues Warning and Security Checklist

 

June 27, 2010

At first glance, the free WIFI service at Starbucks seems like a great idea for mobile professionals. Starbucks’ free Internet service is a response to growing competition – McDonald’s upgraded coffee offerings and free WIFI, which have proved to be popular in the economic downturn.

Starbucks announced the service effective July 1, 2010.

But the WIFI offering by Starbucks has prompted a security warning and checklist from a go-to Internet security guru, Dr. Stan Stahl of Citadel Information Group in Los Angeles. His commentary is entitled, “Free WIFI at Starbucks – Reminder of Cybersecurity Risk.”

“While most of the common risk is eavesdropping, one cannot overlook the risk of computer compromise,” writes Dr. Stahl.

His five security recommendations:

1. No online banking or other eCommerce
2. No e-mail  containing sensitive information except via an approved encrypted link from PC to Mail Server
3. Keep anti-virus or host intrusion software up-to-date
4. Make sure software patches are up-to-date
5. Use VPN (virtual private network) for access to office

Respectively, here are Dr. Stahl’s Web site and blog addresses: www.citadel-information.com, www.citadelonsecurity.blogspot.com.

From the Coach’s Corner, Dr. Stahl’s expertise is also quoted in these Biz Coach articles:

• How to Protect Yourself from the Internet Crime Wave
• Strategic Planning: List of Informative Web Sites
• Web Security Checklist and Warning about Mobile Banking
• 5 Safety Measures to Thwart Mounting Social-Network Attacks
• How China-Google Controversy Might Affect Business, Government Security

“You can’t hold firewalls and intrusion detection systems accountable. You can only hold people accountable.”

-Daryl White

 

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.