Robert Siciliano, a security analyst, explains how hackers use fake Wi-Fi hotspots to steal Social Security numbers from travelers. He recommends using encrypted VPNs like Hotspot Shield and avoiding online banking on public networks to protect yourself.
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Alright, well you're supposed to relax when you go on vacation, right? But cyber criminals are now targeting travelers. We're going to tell you what they're doing and how you can help protect yourself and your family.
There's a new trend in internet hacking that targets people on vacation. Cyber criminals are setting up phony Wi-Fi spots and tourists are falling for it. And you wouldn't believe it's actually happening on a large scale. So what should you be looking out for? Joining us from Boston, a security analyst for Intelius.com, Robert Siciliano. Robert Siciliano. Good morning to you, Robert.
Good morning.
All right, so here's what's happening. People are going into hotels, they're going into airport lounges, and they're logging on to Wi-Fi like most people do when they're on vacation or they're traveling. And we don't even think about that these potential Wi-Fi spots could be problems. What's going on with these spots?
Well, business travelers have been dealing with this for years. This is when you're using your wireless, your iPhone, your laptop, and you're communicating client data, personal identifying information, your banking online. And the wireless is never really meant to be secure, it's meant to be convenient. But over the years, hackers have figured this out, criminal hackers, and they are going after vacationers, people who are now using portable laptops who are much cheaper, and they're working while they're traveling, and their information, or their clients' information, is now being compromised.
Well, Robert, I know also you talk a lot about Social Security numbers and how they can be hacked as well. This, this really amazed You're saying that criminals can figure out our Social Security numbers just by knowing where we live or where we were born?
Well, Carnegie Mellon University recently did a study and they were able to crack the code as to how Social Security numbers are being doled out. And what that means is they figured out that the first 3 numbers are based on the place in which the Social Security number was applied for. The second 2 numbers are the region in which the Social Security Administration is from. And then the last 4 are delivered out sequentially. So based on, you know, going to somebody's Facebook page, finding out where they were born and their address, they know what your social might be.
Robert, that is frightening. I want to get back real quickly to that cyber hacking story that Clayton was talking about with these Wi-Fi spots when you're on vacation. How can you protect yourself? Because this scares me. I'm on Wi-Fi all the time on vacation. What should I do?
Well, one thing is, you know, when you're on vacation, try not to communicate, you know, personal identifying information. Maybe consider not banking online. Get something called Hotspot Shield, which is basically a software you download for free, and you basically are driving through a tunnel on the internet. It's an encrypted form of communication while you're communicating wirelessly. And also, invest in identity theft protection because when all else fails, you gotta have somebody out there watching your back.
Yeah.
And when you're on vacation, you're on a plane, you're not— you need to hide the laptop, right? So that no one sees what you're entering, like your password.
Well, you know, it's very difficult because when you're communicating wirelessly, that's just, you know, it's out there out in the wild, and you know, those wireless packets, they can be sniffed out. Out, and criminal hackers, you know, they're sophisticated. They know how to download this information. You are communicating wirelessly through their PC. They're logging everything you do.
All right, Robert Siciliano, thank you so much for joining us this morning from intellius.com. Thanks so much.
