Airline passangers' personal computer information can be easily hacked while in flight.
The wireless inflight airline internet access service, GoGo Inflight Internet ("GoGo"), which enables travelers to access the internet while in flight does not encrypt communications between users (passengers) and the Wireless Access Points on the aircraft.
As a result of this lack of encryption it is easy to intercept and record all data sent and received by passengers. This poses significant risk to passengers and their respective businesses as sensitive information is sent over the air without encryption. This information can include, emails, email attachments, email content, usernames and
passwords,credit card information, social security numbers, methods for accessing business networks, trade secrets, etc.This information can be intercepted and recorded by anyone on the aircraft with a WiFi capable
laptop/device. (more)P.S. Things named GoGo seem to be really cool but don't last. Just sayin'. (Goggo mobile) (GoGo National Airlines) (GoGo dancers) (sing-a-long) (Psycho a Go-Go) (Secret GoGo) (Beat GoGos) (Surf GoGo) (GoGo!7188-C7) (Road Runner GoGo) (88 GoGo) (Tokyo A Go Go) (Goin to a GoGo) (GoGo Brothers) (Ghoul A Go-Go) (GO GO HAPPY DAY) (Penn Gillett Rescuing a Go-Go Dancer NSFW) but I digress.
Remember... Don't do anything more sensitive on the airplane than read USA Today... no email, no accessing your corporate web site, no bidding on ebay, no buying viagra, etc., etc.
UPDATE - Gogo Inflight Internet service deserves equal time. It is, after all, providing a very useful and wanted service. The information released by Netragard, LLC applies to all public Wi-Fi hot spots, and to single out Gogo makes their motives suspect.
The problem of public Wi-Fi spying is why I mentioned Hotspot Shield, a FREE VPN, a while back. (more)
Gogo would like you to know...
"To date, Aircell and its carrier partners have not identified any network security vulnerabilities in the Gogo Inflight Internet service that are threats to our customers. Credit card transactions to access Gogo are encrypted and fully secure. Other Internet traffic on the Gogo network is as secure as any public Wi-Fi hotspot in a hotel, airport or coffee house. For users who wish a higher level of information security, Gogo supports virtually all VPN clients. Aircell is committed to our customers' safety and security both in the air and online and will do all we can to ensure our customers' information remains secure and private."
Go with Gogo and be as cautious as you would at any public Wi-Fi hotspot. VPN it. ~ Kevin
