One issue facing those of us frequenting hotspots, whether operated by truck stops or coffee shops, is security. One serious security issue that has popped up in the past, and continues to be a threat, is that of the "Evil Twin" rogue hotspot. The "Evil Twin" is generally a guy in the parking lot broadcasting a Wi-Fi signal using an SSID similar to that of the legitimate hotspot. Legitimate hotspots are nearly always set up as "infrastructure" networks, using an access point to distribute the Wi-Fi signal, while rogue networks are nearly always set up as "Ad-Hoc" networks; using a laptop to distribute the Wi-Fi signal.
Configuring Your Connection for Infrastructure-Only
By blocking connections to ad-hoc networks you will effectively eliminate 95% of the risk that you might make a connection to an "Evil Twin". Additionally, your laptop might begin broadcasting the SSID of the network to which it was most recently connected. If some hacker running snooping software picks up the plea; they can quickly create an ad-hoc network, using the SSID your laptop is broadcasting, and make a connection that puts your identity at risk.
Here's how you configure your computer to block ad-hoc connections:
- Choose Start => Control Panel => Network and Internet Connections => Network Connections. The Network Connections window now opens.
- Right-click your connection and then click Properties.
The Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box now opens.
- Click the Wireless Networks tab.
- Click the Advanced button.
- Select the Access Point (Infrastructure) Networks Only radio button.
- Click Close and then click OK in the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box.
And that's it! You're now protected from accidentally making an ad-hoc connection.
