Be Cautious When Using Hotel Internet Services
While I was away this past weekend, I took advantage of my having hotel elite status–using free internet. I got a little bit concerned however, when I observed a couple of wifi networks that featured some variation of the word “wireless,” such as wirel3ss.
According to a CIO article, I have a good reason to be worried. The FBI has observed a rise in the number of malware intrusions to laptops and other devices connected to hotel internet networks:
The FBI said typically travelers attempting to set up a hotel room Internet connection were presented with a pop-up window notifying the user to update a widely used software product. If the user clicked to accept and install the update, malicious software was installed on the laptop. The pop-up window appeared to be offering a routine update to a legitimate software product for which updates are frequently available.
The warning is geared toward international destinations, though I suspect this is also a domestic problem.
Either way, I think it is VERY IMPORTANT to be weary of sketchy hotel internet connections and any software updates.
Point Me to the Miles 