I read on Google News yesterday that a programmer wrote a free Firefox browser add-on called FireSheep that hijacks browser cookies on open wifi networks. Abigail and I tested it on our network and it works exactly as described. This is truly frightening.
A person with this add-on installed in a Firefox browser sees your photo appear on a side panel when you're on Facebook or Twitter, Amazon.com, etc in a coffee shop or other public (open) wifi. He then clicks on your photo, your browser cookie is hijacked, and his browser opens into YOUR facebook (or other) account. From there he's got complete access to all of your private info, including photos, email, etc. In other words, it's just like you opened your account on a public computer and then walked away leaving it wide open. He's into your account and can do anything you can do, include change your password and lock you out.
Bottom line: Browse and enjoy public wifi, but think twice before signing into social networks. The rule of thumb is that if the url begins with HTTPS (the S is for "secure") then it's safe, but there's still no guarantee that every site is 100% safe from a hacker on a public wifi.
I would assume open hotel wifi is just as risky.
~Sam
A person with this add-on installed in a Firefox browser sees your photo appear on a side panel when you're on Facebook or Twitter, Amazon.com, etc in a coffee shop or other public (open) wifi. He then clicks on your photo, your browser cookie is hijacked, and his browser opens into YOUR facebook (or other) account. From there he's got complete access to all of your private info, including photos, email, etc. In other words, it's just like you opened your account on a public computer and then walked away leaving it wide open. He's into your account and can do anything you can do, include change your password and lock you out.
Bottom line: Browse and enjoy public wifi, but think twice before signing into social networks. The rule of thumb is that if the url begins with HTTPS (the S is for "secure") then it's safe, but there's still no guarantee that every site is 100% safe from a hacker on a public wifi.
I would assume open hotel wifi is just as risky.
~Sam