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Public WiFi Security Challenges And How To Prevent The Damage Arising From It

Free Wi-Fi access sites found at restaurants, airports, cafes, hotels, bookstores, and even odd retail outlets are usually frequented by people to use their devices or to connect with internet. However, this liberty comes with a cost, and few people are aware of the dangers of using public WiFi. Learning how to defend against the risks that come with utilizing such sites can go a long way toward keeping data on devices safe and secure.

Security Challenges of using a Public WiFi

The lack of authentication required to establish a network connection makes free WiFi hotspots desirable to users and particularly enticing to hackers. This gives the hackers a fantastic opportunity to acquire full access to unsecured devices on the same network. Instead of communicating directly with the hotspot, you may end up providing your information to the hacker, who may then pass it on.

While working in a free Wi-Fi arrangement, the hacker may have access to every piece of information you send out on the Internet. While using free Wi-Fi, sensitive information such as emails, credit cards, and even security passwords might be exposed. An unencrypted WiFi connection can also be used by hackers to propagate malware. A hacker can swiftly infect a machine with contaminated software if users share data across a network.

Some of the infamous security challenges users face using a Public WiFi: –

  • Compromised Personal Information such as Login credentials, Financial information, Personal data, Pictures, etc.
  • Advanced cyber-attacks on individuals’ devices, businesses, automobiles, smart gadgets, etc.
  • MitM (Man-In-The-Middle) attacks to breach the privacy of communication.
  • Network connections using weak or no secure encryption mechanisms.
  • Sniffing and intercepting the network packets i.e. the communication channels breaching confidentiality.
  • Distributing and injecting malware into devices and network systems.
  • Hijacking the devices and networks using Public WiFi to connect to the internet.

How to prevent or reduce the damage arising from using Public WiFi

A. Transport-level SSL Security

Even if users do not have access to a VPN application for daily Internet browsing, they can still secure their communications. For those websites, being visited regularly or that need one to input credentials, “Always Use HTTPS” option should be selected. Hackers are aware of how people reuse passwords and thus a user’s login and password for some random forum might be the same as the bank or workplace network, which they may exploit.

B. Keep the Public Sharing option Off

Users are advised not to disclose anything when using the Internet in a public area. They can deactivate sharing on WiFi using the system settings the first time they join an unprotected network.

C. Connecting to the Internet using VPNs

When connecting to a business network through an insecure network, such as a WiFi hotspot, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection is essential. Even if a hacker manages to get in the middle of the encrypted connection, the data is heavily secured. Because most hackers are looking for a quick buck, they are more likely to throw away encrypted stolen data rather than decode it.

D. Turn Off the WiFi when not in need

Even if users are not connected to a network, WiFi technology still communicates between any networks within their range. There are security mechanisms in place to keep this tiny communication from compromising the users’ devices. It is strongly advised to keep the WiFi turned off if users are only working on a Word or Excel document or any offline application on their devices.

E. Follow the security guidelines provided by the Security Vendors

Even those who take all feasible measures when using public WiFi can occasionally encounter problems. Hence, it is critical to have a good Internet security program installed on the devices. These programs can scan files for malware regularly. They can also scan new files as and when they are downloaded. The best consumer security software often includes business protection features, allowing users to safeguard themselves while simultaneously protecting their servers at work.

There will come a point in every business traveler’s life when the only connection available is an insecure, free public WiFi hotspot. Being equipped with the right security solutions will help the user avoid being a victim of a cybercrime.

Centex Technologies provide state-of-the-art cybersecurity and internet security solutions to businesses. To know more, contact Centex Technologies at Killeen (254) 213-4740, Dallas (972) 375-9654, Atlanta (404) 994-5074, and Austin (512) 956-5454.

What Is Security Service Edge And What Are Its Advantages?

SSE (Security Service Edge) improves the security strategy posture of any organization leveraging cloud services. It secures access to the enterprise internet and various cloud services that employees use in their daily operations. It is a crucial tool in strengthening cloud and networking security capabilities. SSE is often offered in a cloud-based service model. However, nowadays it is also available on a hybrid on-premises or agent-based solution model. A few cloud-based components of SSE include access control and threat prevention solutions. These tools ensure data and application security.

How does SSE differentiate from SASE?

SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) combines the networking and security technologies that enable secure and quick enterprise operations on the cloud. SSE is a very important SASE component that combines all security essential services. These may include ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) and CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) to ensure providing SWG (Secure Online Gateway) for enterprise networking assets. The networking component of the SASE framework is the WAN Edge Infrastructure. This focuses on establishing network connections through modifying network infrastructures in real-time. A few of the SSE security services are: –

  • CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) – CASB helps businesses connect over to their sensitive assets on the cloud in a secure manner. It addresses the loopholes in data visibility, securing the data, and complying with the regulatory standards. CASB uses the UEBA (User and Entity Behavior and Analytics) to discover the risks and threats affecting the enterprise cloud instances.
  • SWG (Secure Online Gateway) – It is a checkpoint that prevents illegal traffic from intruding on an organization’s network. It links the user and the website to provide end-to-end security. URL filtering and harmful content inspection are just a few of its benefits. An SWG enables users to visit safe and pre-approved websites that protect them from online-based cyber risks.
  • ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) – Zero Trust is applied in a granular, adaptive, as well as context-aware manner. It secures the private applications installed across multiple clouds and corporate data centers. It strengthens the security perimeter by providing dynamic and policy-based digital transformation.
  • DLP – Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools implement data protection and inadvertent leakage rules in real-time. This limits the inadvertent access flow of sensitive information outside the organization.
  • RBI – Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) is a robust web threat prevention system that isolates web browsing activities. It defends users from all kinds of malicious code that might be buried in a website. This prevents any malicious code from ever touching the end user’s devices.
  • FWaaS – Firewall-as-a-Service is available on a cloud platform that protects data and applications via the internet. SSE uses it to collate, inspect and analyze traffic from on-prem and off-prem data centers. This provides an entire network of visibility and management. It also ensures uniform policy enforcement across the entire cloud infra.

SSE resolves the security problems posed by remote work, digitization, and cloud transition. SSE assists enterprises in the following ways:

  1. Security control management & administration simplification – Cloud and on-premises infrastructure must be managed using a patchwork of varied and separate security policies. These policies might be different across the various cloud service providers and on- premises tech stacks. SSE reduces the cost and complexity by facilitating the implementation of policies across on- premises, on-cloud, as well as remote work environments.
  2. VPNs to facilitate remote work – Remote employees have to use business-sensitive apps in extremely sensitive circumstances. The ZTNA feature from SSE allows for granular resource access. This allows an additional configuration that ensures specific degrees of access for each user.
  3. Malware threat prevention, detection, and mitigation – Many contemporary attacks utilize social engineering tactics to target a cloud provider’s capabilities. This involves imitating user behavior with authentic credentials. SSE’s SWG acts as a cyber-barrier that monitors traffic on the web as well as blocks any illegal access.
  4. SaaS apps access control – Security teams require entire visibility as well as control over the sensitive data stored on the cloud platforms. This includes preventing emerging threats on cloud-native attack surfaces. SSE’s CASB enables multi-mode support. This can be ensured by implementing granular regulations to monitor and limit access to authorized and unauthorized cloud services.

Organizations require secure usage, sharing, and access to data that sits outside of the perimeter security. SSE is here to provide functionalities to offer a consolidated and unified approach to data security, endpoint security, cloud security, web and application security, and likewise.

Centex Technologies provide cyber-security and IT security solutions for enterprises. For more information, contact Centex Technologies at Killeen (254) 213-4740, Dallas (972) 375-9654, Atlanta (404) 994-5074, and Austin (512) 956-5454

Public WiFi Security

PDF Version: Public-WiFi-Security

Enterprise Network Security: Zero Trust Security Or VPN

VPN stands for Virtual Private Networking. VPNs encrypt your internet traffic in real time and disguise your online identity. This makes it difficult for third parties to track your online activities and steal data.

How Does VPN Work?

A VPN hides an IP address by letting the network redirect it through a specially configured remote server run by a VPN host. This states that when surfing online with VPN, the VPN server acts as the source of your data. Due to this, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) and other third parties cannot see the websites you visit or data you send or receive.

Benefits Of VPN:

  • Secure Encryption: VPN ensures secure encryption of data transmitted and received. User requires an encryption key to read the data. This makes it difficult for the hackers or third parties to decipher the data, even if they corrupt the network.
  • Disguise The Location: VPN servers act as a proxy for you on the internet. This ensures that the actual location of the user is not determined. Additionally, most VPN services do not store activity log which further ensures that no information about user behavior is passed on to hackers or third parties.
  • Secure Data Transfer: As the trend of working remotely is gaining popularity, secure data transfer has become immensely important. Organizations can make use of VPN servers to ensure the security of data being transmitted and reduce the risks of data leakage.

Zero Trust Security

Main tenet of “zero trust security” is that vulnerabilities can appear if businesses are too trusting of individuals. This model maintains that no user, even if allowed on the network, should be trusted by default because it may lead to end point being compromised.

How Does Zero Trust Security Work?

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is an important aspect of Zero Trust Security model. ZTNA uses identity based authentication to establish trust before providing access while keeping the network location (IP address) hidden. ZTNA secures the environment by identifying anomalous behavior such as attempted access to restricted data or downloads of unusual amounts of data at unusual time or from unusual location.

Benefits OF Zero Trust Security:

  • Increased Resource Access Visibility: Zero Trust Security model provides organizations better visibility into who accesses what resources for what reasons and understand the measures that should be applied to secure resources.
  • Decreased Attack Surface: As Zero Trust Security model shifts the focus to securing individual resources, it reduces the risk of cyber-attacks that target network perimeter.
  • Improved Monitoring: Zero Trust Security model includes the deployment of a solution for continuous monitoring and logging of asset states and user activity. This helps in detection of potential threats in a timely manner.

Zero Trust and VPN are both types of network security and although they seem to have different approaches, these can be used in conjunction for a comprehensive security strategy. Organizations can use Zero Trust concepts and VPNs to delineate clear network perimeter and then create secure zones within the network.

At Centex Technologies, we recommend network security protocols and solutions to formulate an effective network security strategy. For more information, call Centex Technologies at (254) 213 – 4740.

What Is An Evil Twin Attack

With the advancement of technology, there has been a rise in the use of wireless connectivity solutions. It has found applications in restaurants, coffee shops, offices and shopping malls. However, wireless connectivity in the form of Wi-Fi is inherently less secure. It is largely unprotected from threats that can result in theft of credentials and sensitive information. The unprotected access points expose your connection and personal data to cyber-attacks such as ‘Evil Twin Attack’.

Understanding An Evil Twin

An evil twin is a rogue wireless access point that appears as a genuine hotspot offered by a legitimate provider. It typically clones the MAC address, name and service set identifier (SSID) of the network. This makes it hard for the users to differentiate between original and fake access point.

An attacker can conveniently create an “evil twin” within the smart phone or other internet-capable device using some easily available software. He discovers the radio frequency of a legitimate access point and uses the same to send out his own radio signals with the same name as original access point. This enables the attacker to eavesdrop on the network traffic, capture traffic or plant malware on the system.

Implications To Cybersecurity

Once the fake access point is set up, it poses as a local hotspot. The attacker positions himself near the end-user so that his signal is strongest within the range. The strong signals tempt users to connect manually to the evil twin for internet access. Also, it can be a case where the end-user’s computer automatically chooses that connection. This allows the hacker to intercept user’s sensitive data that is being shared between user and the host. Thus, he can obtain sensitive information or login credentials resulting in identity theft or financial loss of the end-user. Attackers are also using social engineering to clone a login page through which credentials can be stolen.

Ways To Prevent Evil Twin Attack

To avoid evil twin network connections, following tips should be considered by end-users:

  • Refrain from using public hot spots for online shopping or banking.
  • Users should disable auto connect feature on all wireless devices.
  • Connect via a virtual private network (VPN) to compress all traffic while using a public access point.
  • Before connecting, ask the owner of the area for official name of the hotspot and security key, if any. Type the incorrect key intentionally; evil twin hotspots will grant access irrespective of the key.

Companies should also incorporate measures to protect corporate data from evil twin attack:

  • Instruct employees to use Wi-Fi Intrusion Prevention Systems (WIPS) to prevent their systems from connecting to unauthorized duplicate access points.
  • Protect company’s wireless connections with Personal Security Key (PSK) and provide its details to employees and customers.

For more information on IT security solutions for your business, call Centex Technologies at (254) 213 – 4740.

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