Free Wi-Fi in bus stops put users at risk…no, it’s not the hackers
— Deriz S. Syarief • August 1st, 2007
Free Internet connection will be available at every station of TransJakarta -Jakarta’s bus-based mass transportation systems known as ‘busway.’ This surely helps mobile workers, but in the same time, increases vulnerability of falling prey to predators…and no, it’s not the hackers !
This facility is a co-branding initiative between Jakarta administration and Internet service provider Sistelindo Mitralintas. No revenue sharing mentioned by both parties. For TransJakarta, free WiFi will help build up the image as preferred mode of transportation for executives. While for Sistelindo this facility is will promote Internet to corporate clients.
Free Internet is accessible from WiFi or public personal computer, 6 a.m to 10 p.m. For a start, from more than 70 busway stops, this facility is available only in Dukuh Atas 2 stop and will be evaluated in the next six months. Dukuh Atas 2 stop is located in Jakarta’s central business area. It connects Corridor I and IV, and in the future will serves as hub between busway and other mass transportations: subway, railway, monorail and waterway.
Laptop users are more vulnerable
Free WiFi may attract executives to switch from private car to public transportation –busway in particular- thus reducing the overburdened Jakarta’s traffic. If you are a mobile executive, compared to private car or taxi, busway can take you almost anywhere within minutes.
It is relatively safer nowadays to bring laptop in public transportation like busway, as long as you can keep it concealed. That means leaving your included standard laptop bag with the vendor’s logo on it –as if you’re saying “laptop inside”. Use a backpack instead. There is lots of backpack these days that are designed to carry laptops. But please, don’t use Targus, because almost everybody would think that you are carrying laptop -even if you don’t. That’s the irony of big brands, no offense though. There are many cases someone become a crime victim simply because of the perception they create. Trust me on this, that’s what they teach me in Criminology back in the nineties.
Concealment, yes. But free WiFi will lure users of revealing their laptop, making them more vulnerable of becoming crime victim. While it is safe to use laptop in busway stops, there is no guarantee once you step outside. It’s like drawing huge amount of money in bank. I carry laptop almost all of the time, and I’m constantly searching for free WiFis just like in Shangri-La’s. But using laptop in busway stop? Mmmm…don’t think so.
If you use laptop in busway stop, it is not the hackers that put you in risk. It is the usual street criminals that may not even know how to use a computer. They lurks everywhere –mostly in public transportation- looking for a nice fetch and opportunity. Maybe they don’t dare to do it in busway, as each bus has a security staff. But once thet see you bring a laptop, they just need to wait you step out the busway stop.
TransJakarta logo from wikimedia.
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