JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hacked emails and widespread internet outages happen all the time, and it's more important than ever to lock down your personal digital information. You likely use public Wi-Fi, so it's important you know the potential weak spots in your devices and the fixes to make your data more secure.
When you're on public Wi-Fi, the biggest worry is probably hackers, so Consumer Reports security expert Dean Gallea created a fake Wi-Fi hot spot -- allowing him to observe and capture someone else's internet activity.
"I don't think people are aware how easy it is to do what I did," Gallea warned.
But there are tweaks you can make to your phones, tablets and laptops -- or anything that you would connect to public Wi-Fi -- that better protect you:
- Make sure your firewall is turned on. You'll find it in your "Security & Privacy" settings. It’s the first line of defense against viruses and malware.
- Turn off settings like "network discovery' and file sharing" -- that will make it more difficult for people near you to see your data.
- An "open" Wi-Fi hotspot makes you particularly vulnerable, because any hacker can join it without a password.
- You can also add a layer of protection to public Wi-Fi by using a virtual private network (VPN.)
"A lot of people are familiar with VPN's from their work, because many companies require their employees to have a VPN if they're logging on from home or when they're traveling. People don't really know you can get a VPN yourself for a few bucks a month and it adds a lot of security to their own computing," explained Jerry Beilinson with Consumer Reports.
Another important step is to set up automatic updates -- and always install them when they're offered to you -- to ensure your devices are armed with the latest protections.
Beware of Wi-Fi imposters
Consumer Reports says beware of Wi-Fi imposters. As you know, your devices can automatically connect to networks you've used before. A hacker can set up a rogue Wi-Fi network with the same name as a legitimate one and trick your gadgets into joining.
To help protect yourself, Consumer Reports recommends you periodically go into your Wi-Fi settings prune the networks you join automatically. Most devices let you delete networks one by one, but if you have an iPad or iPhone, you need to go under "General Settings" and find "Reset Network Settings" and delete them all at once.
Check a suspicious link before you click on it
We all get emails or online ads that ask us to click a link. If you are suspicious, Consumer Reports says you can check the link's safety at Securi SiteCheck or urvoid.com. While it's not 100 percent foolproof, it can give you an idea if there is a problem. Here's how you do it:
Check your data breach status
If you are wondering if your personal data is for sale on the web, you can check. Consumer Reports recommends the website haveibeenpwned.com. You can check your email addresses and usernames against lists from 120 known breaches at companies including Adobe, LinkedIn and SnapChat.
If your name does pop up, Consumer Reports says change the password for the compromised account and any other site where you are using the same password. It's important to note that Consumer Reports encourages you not to use the same passwords on multiple accounts.
Protect your children
Connected toys
Consumer Reports says with toymakers rolling out connected kids' products, like tablets and talking dolls, families can be asked to register those items with personal information. But the consumer watchdog says providing it, gives marketers and possible hackers details about your children. Consumer Reports recommends you fake that information to protect your kids.
Child identity theft
Researchers have found identity theft happens more often to children than adults. While there are some signs your child's identity has been stolen, like getting collection calls or receiving unpaid bills in the mail, that's not always the case. Consumer Reports recommends you request credit reports from the three big credit-rating agencies by the time your child turns 15 years old. The credit-reporting companies to use are:
That way, if there is an instance of identity theft, that will give you time to clear up any problems before they go to apply for college loans, a job or a credit card.
Baby monitors
Don't let hackers get to your kids through Wi-Fi-connected baby cameras and monitors. Consumer Reports recommends caretakers and parents check all default settings. And when you set up any internet-enabled camera, create a unique username and password. Finally, if you are not using the babycam at the moment, turn it off, so it's less likely to be discovered by hackers.
Stop giving away your data on your Smart TV
Consumer Reports says automatic content recognition (ACR) systems in many Smart TVs transmit data to analytics companies that may use that information for marketing. You can turn this feature off or disable it, in your TV's settings. It's called different things, depending on your brand of Smart TV, so you can look for the following.
- Samsung: "SynPlus and interactive Marketing Services"
- LG: "Live Plus"
- Vizio: "Smart Interactivity"
Don't overshare on Facebook
Consumer Reports wants you to be aware that you may be sharing your personal information with Facebook -- and its partners and users -- but you may not know it.
Keep your GPS data private
Facebook can get your whereabouts from your mobile phone. You can turn this option off through your settings:
- iPhone: controls are under "Location Services"
- Android: controls are under "Facebook Permissions" in "Applications Manager"
Don't want to be found on Facebook?
If you don't want people to find you on Facebook when they search your name, Consumer Reports says you can fix that and more. Under "Facebook Settings," look for the "Who Can Look Me Up?" section.
Protect your account
Facebook has an option for two-factor authentication. You can get this by turning on "Log-In Approvals" in your "Security Settings." By turning this on, it can keep strangers from accessing your account, even if they steal your password.
Consumer Reports offers more ways to protect your privacy. You will find it all here.