TODAY.AZ / Society

How secure are public Wi-Fi access points?

05 June 2015 [11:43] - TODAY.AZ

/By AzerNews/

By Nigar Orujova

As Baku is working to live up to its title of leading regional capital, it has turned to developing its tourism industry, looking to improve on its infrastructures and services to become tourist-friendly and appealing to all.

And since we live in a technology era, officials have been keen to improve on Azerbaijan's internet access. Those improvements have included of course global access to Wi-Fi internet. Baku residents and guests now enjoy free internet access across the capital: public places.

Of course, such dynamic growth in the IT sector has raised essential security issues.

Baku's Wi-Fi network now covers almost all public places in the capital. During the forthcoming 2015 European Games, free internet access will be offered to the public in all sports venues and adjacent areas.

The vast majority of access points will be deployed via three main mobile operators and Internet providers. Operators will provide free services to all for two months, after which, the service will be offered on a commercial basis.

While this news is likely to enchant Baku residents, questions surrounding security and privacy have arisen on the backdrop of such open free internet access.

Those countries that use free Wi-Fi access for a long time have already realized the threat posed by unprotected public Wi-Fi. An access to the network without authentication and registration opens endless opportunities for not only hackers but also terrorists.

Many countries are now considering or have already introduced certain restrictions on the free Wi-Fi access in public places such as airports, cafes, and parks.

Such security measures are relevant to Azerbaijan as well. The question is - how can the state create an effective mechanism which guarantees users' safety while online?

International practice suggests that free access points in airports for instance can be incorporated into plane tickets' boarding pass.

In other public places other methods of registration can be used. People should understand that these measures are taken in view of enhancing security and countering terrorism. Everyone should understand the threat posed by unprotected public internet access points in relation to personal data.

Hackers could effortlessly access users' private correspondence in social networks, e-mail and so on...

The situation in Europe is regulated as follow: many EU countries use the method of obligatory verification at all Wi-Fi points - to gain access users will need to register their details.

Some European countries use mobile numbers for verification before granting access to free Wi-Fi points. In Russia, there is a ban on all anonymous access to public Wi-Fi networks.

Azerbaijan has not yet determined what measure it will apply when it comes to free Wi-Fi. However, it can be said in advance that whatever method will be adopted in the near future, it will be done with people' safety in mind.

URL: http://www.today.az/news/society/141216.html

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