KTLA 5 SPECIAL REPORT |
KTLA SPECIAL REPORT -- Black Friday is just around the corner and many shoppers are heading online to handle their holiday buying lists.
But while they search the web for great deals, a sophisticated cyber-thief may be downloading all of their private information. It doesn't take much for a hacker to crack the code into someone's private life, especially when members of the public don't know what to be on the lookout for.
As am Internet security consultant, TJ McClearin, is a hacker with a conscience. KTLA 5's Chris Schauble spoke to McClearin in a special report about the risks of logging in using free Wi-Fi.
"You never know how or why you become a target," he said. "It's only after the fact."
At a Hollywood coffee shop, McClearin said it's possible that someone could be watching every move you make over the WiFi network.
To prove his point, he only took a few seconds to find a KTLA 5 producer who was inside the coffee shop having an instant message conversation on her computer.
McClearin said hackers can also create copycat Wi-Fi hotspots meant to look just like the free WiFi available at coffee shops. If users log on to the copycat networks hackers could access the user's personal information without much trouble.
"Given the rate in which technology changes, people should know there are ways to protect themselves," McClearin said.
Users interested in shopping online should make sure the web address begins with "https" -- the 's' stands for 'secure.' They should also check for a verified checkmark or a lock icon on the screen. On some web browsers, the address bar turns green if it's a trusted site and red if it's not trusted.
But while they search the web for great deals, a sophisticated cyber-thief may be downloading all of their private information. It doesn't take much for a hacker to crack the code into someone's private life, especially when members of the public don't know what to be on the lookout for.
As am Internet security consultant, TJ McClearin, is a hacker with a conscience. KTLA 5's Chris Schauble spoke to McClearin in a special report about the risks of logging in using free Wi-Fi.
"You never know how or why you become a target," he said. "It's only after the fact."
At a Hollywood coffee shop, McClearin said it's possible that someone could be watching every move you make over the WiFi network.
To prove his point, he only took a few seconds to find a KTLA 5 producer who was inside the coffee shop having an instant message conversation on her computer.
McClearin said hackers can also create copycat Wi-Fi hotspots meant to look just like the free WiFi available at coffee shops. If users log on to the copycat networks hackers could access the user's personal information without much trouble.
"Given the rate in which technology changes, people should know there are ways to protect themselves," McClearin said.
Users interested in shopping online should make sure the web address begins with "https" -- the 's' stands for 'secure.' They should also check for a verified checkmark or a lock icon on the screen. On some web browsers, the address bar turns green if it's a trusted site and red if it's not trusted.
