1) Many public places offer free WiFi connections, but these are not secure and personal information could be stolen. 2) When accessing financial or other sensitive personal information online, use a wired connection or ensure the website connection is encrypted, as indicated by a lock icon or URL starting with "https". 3) For off-campus access to a university network, use VPN software to securely encrypt data connections.

1. Many public places offer free wireless connections (WiFi). The convenience of WiFi can also be abused to illegally monitor and steal your data.Sensitive Information & Wireless Connections

2. Financial data& Wireless ConnectionsSection: Sensitive Information & WirelessIf you bank online or check your credit card statement on the Web, be sure to use a wired connection or encryption.

3. Is the information safely transferred?Section: Sensitive Information & WirelessSafe transfer of Sensitive Information may be indicated by a number of items.A lock on the website indicates that encryption will be used in transfer

4. Website addresses that start with httpshttps://bankhere.xxx

5. Off-campus access to campus networkSection: Sensitive Information & WirelessIf you are off-campus and you need to connect to campus, use VPN software to establish a secure and encrypted data connection to campus.

6. Off-campus access to campus networkSection: Sensitive Information & WirelessDownload the Cisco VPN software program available from shareware.unc.edu. Any UNC-Chapel Hill affiliate with an Onyen may use this program. Problems or Questions? Contact (919.962.HELP) or your departmental IT staff for assistance on downloading and installing any software from the ITS Shareware site.

7. Learning Point # 4Section: Sensitive Information & WirelessYou stop by Starbucks and realize that you need to email an urgent report to your supervisor. Even though you have your laptop with you, it is better to wait until you are in your office to send an email to your supervisor. Right?Right!Wi-Fi hotspots, such as wireless connections in coffeehouses, are a common location for criminals to sniff wireless traffic. If you must use a wireless connection to connect to campus, use encryption provided by VPN software.