Inside Google

It’s certainly something to think about if you regularly use public Wi-Fi networks to go online.

Google is apologizing for scooping up bits of people’s online activities when they use Wi-Fi networks. The Google-owned cars that provide pictures for the “Street Views” on Google Maps and Google Earth accidentally collected personal information from unprotected Wi-Fi networks.  The company had been doing this now for the past four years.

In its apology, Google says it only recently found out about the problem when German regulators began asking questions about the practice. The breach of Web etiquette is likely to raise more privacy concerns about Google – the Internet search leader.

One of Google’s most outspoken critics is Consumer Watchdog; and, after this latest news, it is renewing its call for a regulatory crackdown on the company.

The best way to protect your Wi-Fi network is encrypt your network with WEP or WPA encryption.

The WPA and WPA2 encryption methods offer the best protection.  Both encryptions change your password keys constantly making it nearly impossible for hackers to figure out your code.  PC experts say you should still create a strong password using both capital and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.

To find out how to encrypt your wireless network, read the manual for your wireless router or call the company (Linksys, NETGEAR, Balkin, etc.).

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