Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
ColumnsSecurity Talk ColumnCybersecurity News

Testing Wireless Security Awareness at RSA

In February, a crowd of cybersecurity professionals attended the RSA Conference in San Francisco.

Security Talk
April 1, 2014

In February, a crowd of cybersecurity professionals attended the RSA Conference in San Francisco. One cybersecurity CEO, Kent Lawson, founder of Private WiFi, a VPN for consumers and small businesses, read a disclaimer in the official conference guide regarding the free and admittedly insecure wireless network. It said: “We strongly recommend that you use appropriate security measure, such as utilizing a VPN connection, installing a personal firewall and keeping your operating system up-to-date with security patches.”

His curiosity was piqued, so he decided to see how many of these world-class security experts actually followed this common sense advice.  Using a “sniffing” tool he hacked into the Wi-Fi communications.  As you would expect, a lot of the traffic was indeed encrypted – these were security experts, after all.

But as suspected there was also a large amount of completely unprotected communications. Keep in mind it only took about 15 minutes of sniffing to find this much information.

So what were the attendees of RSA doing on the Internet that he could see?

  • Some of them were pretty standard and expected, such as apple.com, Google, MSN, Yahoo, LA Timesand a news site in Madrid.
  • Others were a bit more delicious, looking at sites that had articles on “the world’s 7 best party countries.”
  • Of course, lots of people were doing real work, including checking email and other various marketing and technology sites, including one in Portugal.
  • Others were on various social networks, such as Facebook and sharethis.com.

 

So what does it all mean? 

Since even those who are most aware of the risks can be lax at times, it means that the general public has to be continually reminded to use the right technology to protect themselves. It has been 30 years since seat belts were mandatory, yet we still need signs around saying “Buckle Up.” In the case of using VPNs to encrypt Internet communications in Wi-Fi hotspots, we clearly have a long way to go.

 

Were you surprised at these findings? 

Not at all surprised. We are quite well aware that most people who use Wi-Fi hotspots, while they are generally at least dimly aware that they are at risk, go ahead and use it anyway, without taking the extra precaution of using a VPN.

 

Why do people continue to take these types of risks?

We’re all human and sometimes a bit lazy.  But more to the point, even if you did get hacked, how would you know?  Wi-Fi sniffing is the ultimate stealthy crime, since there is absolutely no way to know that it is going on. 

 

Does every public venue that offers free wireless have a similar disclaimer?

They do!  We have made it a practice to actually look at the T&Cs of every Wi-Fi hotspot that we find.  Every single one of them has a disclaimer along these lines, which we picked up at JFK airport: “Wireless systems use radio channels to transmit voice and data communications over a complex network. Privacy cannot be guaranteed, and we are not liable to you or any other party for any lack of privacy you experience while using the Service. If you use the Service in a public location, you understand that others may be able to see and observe your use of the Service. You acknowledge that the Service is not inherently secure and that wireless communications can be intercepted by equipment and software designed for that purpose. We strongly encourage and support certain customer-provided security solutions, such as virtual private networks, encryption and personal firewalls, but do not provide these to our users and are not responsible for their effectiveness.” The only exceptions that we have found are a few mom-and-pop coffee shops that have not consulted their lawyers – because if they don’t post something like this, they could be liable. Let me elaborate a bit. Wi-Fi signals are just radio waves.  When you communicate with the Internet over Wi-Fi, you are broadcasting.  Anyone who wishes can listen in, using an ordinary laptop and software that is easily downloaded from the Web.  If your signals are encrypted, there is no problem. If not, you are vulnerable to being hacked.  Individuals are at risk for general privacy loss, credit card and identify theft.  SMBs are vulnerable to having their corporate secrets (spreadsheets and the like) intercepted.  Professionals (lawyers, accountants, etc.) could have confidential client information revealed. And, “sniffing” Wi-Fi (passively listening into the signals) is completely legal, at least in the U.S.  The legal principal is that, since you are broadcasting it, you have “no expectation of privacy.”  

 

Read moreSecurity Talk online at SecurityMagazine.com/columns/SecurityTalk 

KEYWORDS: data security encryption RSA Conference wireless security

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Cybersecurity
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Cyber Tactics Column
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Cybersecurity
    By: Charles Denyer
Manage My Account
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Sureview screen
    Sponsored bySureView Systems

    The Evolution of Automation in the Command Center

  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

Popular Stories

Rendered computer with keyboard

16B Login Credentials Exposed in World’s Largest Data Breach

Verizon on phone screen

61M Records Listed for Sale Online, Allegedly Belong to Verizon

Security camera

40,000 IoT Security Cameras Are Exposed Online

Fountain pen

Trump Administration Executive Order Changes Cybersecurity Policy

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

July 17, 2025

Tech in the Jungle: Leveraging Surveillance, Access Control, and Technology in Unique Environments

What do zebras, school groups and high-tech surveillance have in common? They're all part of a day’s work for the security team at the Toledo Zoo.

August 7, 2025

Threats to the Energy Sector: Implications for Corporate and National Security

The energy sector has found itself in the crosshairs of virtually every bad actor on the global stage.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • cyber 2 responsive default

    Security Scholar Program to Debut at RSA® Conference 2016

    See More
  • airport2-900px.jpg

    TSA Testing New Security Procedures at 10 U.S. airports

    See More
  • Lauren Zink Women in Security podcast

    Listen to Lauren Zink, Security Program Awareness Manager at Oportun in the latest Women in Security podcast

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • Physical-Layer-Security.gif

    Physical Layer Security in Wireless Communications

See More Products
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing