GoMiWifi - Michigan's Premiere Wireless HotSpot Solution

GoMiWiFi HotSpot Security Statement

In providing this Security Statement and the Frequently Asked Questions ("FAQs") that follow, we want you to be better informed about the security limitations and features of the GoMiWiFi HotSpot service.

Our GoMiWiFi HotSpot network is based on wireless local area networks ("WLANs") that use evolving technology based on the IEEE 802.11b/g standards. WLANs, which enable "over-the-air" communications, may be subject to unauthorized interception and are not inherently secure. Additionally, a laptop computer, personal digital assistant ("PDA") or other device using wireless connections may be more vulnerable to unauthorized attempts to access data and software stored on the device. We therefore cannot guarantee the privacy of your data and communications while using the GoMiWiFi HotSpot service.

However, we have designed the GoMiWiFi HotSpot network and provide certain encryption technologies to better safeguard your wireless communications. We also support customer-provided security solutions, such as virtual private networks ("VPNs"), personal firewalls, and anti-virus software. For your protection, at all GoMiWiFi HotSpot locations your credit card or other payment card information, as well as any personal information that you send to us via our website when signing up for HotSpot service, is encrypted using secure socket layer ("SSL") technology which prevents unauthorized persons from reading that information. SSL technology is the standard for data encryption and server-side authentication for secure Web-based transactions (such as e-commerce). Additionally, we encrypt your user name and password each time that you submit them to access the GoMiWiFi HotSpot service.

Once you connect to the Internet, it is your responsibility to use appropriate encryption technologies such as a VPN or to use websites that offer SSL technology. We do not provide protection for any Internet communications. You should be especially careful when transmitting user names, passwords, credit card numbers, financial data and other sensitive and confidential information across the Internet without ensuring that appropriate security precautions are in place. Depending on your situation, these communications may be transmitted without encryption and may be vulnerable to unauthorized interception in the HotSpot location or on the Internet.

GoMiWiFi HotSpot strongly recommends you take measures to secure your Wi-Fi devices and Internet communications. We encourage and support many customer-provided security solutions, such as VPNs, personal firewalls, anti-virus software and the use of websites that provide SSL encryption for your data. It is your responsibility, however, to take these precautions and provide security measures best suited to your situation and intended use of the service. We do not currently provide these solutions and cannot guarantee or otherwise be responsible for their effectiveness.

Please note that appropriate safeguards should be used for any type of wireless technology or Internet access via any service provider. If you are interested in learning more, a few sources of additional information are: the National Infrastructure Protection Center's website at and CERT's website.

Below are some tips that can help you protect yourself when using the GoMiWiFi HotSpot service or any other public Wi-Fi service to access the Internet:

Ensure that any website to which you are transmitting sensitive personal or financial information uses SSL technology. To confirm that a website is using SSL:

Look for the "https://..." in the URL address
Look for a closed padlock (or key) icon in the bottom right-hand corner of your Internet browser as indicators you are accessing a secure site
Do not ignore security warnings from the browser

Inspect the Web site address in your browser's URL field to ensure you are communicating with the correct, secure Web site

Use VPNs and personal firewalls

Use anti-virus software and keep the software updated

Be aware that others may be able to look "over your shoulder" to see your login, credit card, or other personal information while using the service. The use of a privacy screen on your computer screen may help prevent others from seeing what is on your computer.

Properly log out of web sites by clicking log out instead of just closing your browser, or typing in a new Internet address

Avoid using web-based email or instant messaging that uses clear (unencrypted) text to send information you deem confidential

Remove or disable your wireless card if you are working offline on your computer and you are not planning to connect to the HotSpot service

Additional Information:

Please keep in mind that this Security Statement and the FAQs that follow only address the GoMiWiFi HotSpot service and are limited in scope. They do not and are not intended to cover security issues on networks with which we have a roaming relationship, including networks operated by our international affiliates under the GoMiWiFi HotSpot brand. They also do not and are not intended to cover all types of network, device or Internet security issues or risks. For example, wired and wireless networks and devices (such as PDAs, desktop and laptop computers, and servers) may be susceptible to viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and denial of service attacks. We encourage you to use other resources, such as those found on the Internet, and at libraries or in bookstores, for comprehensive information concerning these and other security risks and issues.

We may update this Security Statement and the FAQs from time to time. Please check them regularly for updates. If you have questions about privacy, please see the Privacy Policy posted on our web site.

Frequently Asked Questions on GoMiWiFi HotSpot Security

I've heard WLANs being called "802.11b/g" and "Wi-Fi" networks. What does that mean?
It means that the WLAN network conforms to the industry standards applicable to WLANs, known by the technical "802.11b/g" name as well as the "Wi-Fi" name. The GoMiWiFi HotSpot service is based on the 802.11b/g standards. Although this is a widely adopted industry standard, it will likely evolve to allow higher speeds and greater security in the future.

Is WLAN Internet access, as in a GoMiWiFi HotSpot, less secure than wired Internet service networks?
As the name implies, WLANs transmit data wirelessly or "over the air." Because of this, they are more vulnerable to illicit attempts to intercept and read data by persons in the vicinity of the GoMiWiFi HotSpot during the time the data travels wirelessly. (That said, keep in mind that it is also possible for data traveling on a wired network to be intercepted.) Additionally, a hacker could attempt to use the wireless connection between the device and the access point, whether you are on the Internet or not, to gain access to your device, including software and data stored on the device. The types of safeguards recommended for GoMiWiFi HotSpot users (noted in the Security Statement, these FAQs and published elsewhere) should be used for any type of wireless technology via any service provider (and are advisable on wired networks as well).

When signing up for the GoMiWiFi HotSpot service, is my credit card information safe?
When you sign up for GoMiWiFi HotSpot service we offer SSL encryption to protect your credit or other payment card information. We do not provide security with respect to your use of third party websites or services for any personal or financial information transmitted to such websites. We therefore recommend you only use websites that offer SSL or comparable security protection when transmitting sensitive data. To assist you in identifying secure websites, your web browser may indicate "https://..." in the URL address and show a closed padlock (or key) icon as indicators of security. While these indicators are helpful, please be aware that different browsers and web sites may use different methods of denoting security or SSL encrypted content, and the presence of any particular icon is not necessarily a guarantee of total security. If you are concerned about the security of your credit card and other information, you should deal only with trusted sources and service providers on the Internet.

When logging on to the GoMiWiFi HotSpot service, are my user name and password secure?
When you log on to the HotSpot service, you are required to supply a valid user name and password combination for authentication purposes. This information is protected by encryption technologies during the authentication process.

Is WEP used to secure my wireless connection to GoMiWiFi?
At GoMiWiFi HotSpot locations, WEP (Wireline Equivalent Privacy) is not supported. WEP is based on "shared secret" encryption. Shared secret encryption means that the "secret" (the key to the encryption) must be shared with all other WLAN users. Consequently, we believe that this type of security solution is neither practical nor meaningful when used on a public network.

Does GoMiWiFi support VPNs to access email and enterprise applications and data?
GoMiWiFi currently supports most VPN solutions. We strongly recommend the use of a VPN to enhance security when sending and receiving information you deem confidential. If you are uncertain about the type of VPN you use, please consult your company's IT department. To inquire whether our HotSpot network supports your VPN solution, or for assistance troubleshooting connectivity issues regarding use of your VPN client on our network, please contact us at (877)837-2099.

How secure are web-based email services?
Most web-based email services transmit messages as clear (unencrypted) text. Unencrypted web-based email may be vulnerable to illicit attempts to intercept email communications. You can check with your email service provider to learn about your specific email service and its encryption or security features, if any. Typically, only the login page is SSL encrypted, and the closed padlock (or key) icon will be displayed on your web browser for any such pages. Please note that GoMiWiFi does not provide security with respect to your use of third party websites or services, such as web-based email. If you choose to use web-based email on our service, we strongly recommend that you avoid using it to transmit information you deem confidential, and if possible, that you encrypt any attachments before sending them.

Is instant messaging secure?
Most instant messaging services transmit communications as clear (unencrypted) text. You can check with your instant messaging service provider to learn more about your specific instant messaging service and its security features, if any. Such clear text communications are unencrypted whether instant messaging is used on wired or wireless devices and networks. Unencrypted instant messaging is vulnerable to illicit attempts to intercept and read the content of messages sent and received. If you choose to use instant messaging on our HotSpot service, we strongly recommend that you avoid using it to transmit information you deem confidential.

If my connection is momentarily interrupted, does that mean my Internet session has been "stolen"?
You can lose your wireless connection for a variety of reasons not related to security, such as something blocking or interfering with the radio signal, or moving your computer too far away from the GoMiWiFi HotSpot access point. However, an unexplained loss of connection or deterioration of the service could indicate that a hacker has illicitly gained free access to the Internet using your GoMiWiFi HotSpot account (by using your physical network address). This is often referred to as session stealing or hijacking. If you suspect this has occurred, log off immediately so that any such "hacker's" stolen session will be ended and call GoMiWiFi HotSpot customer care at (877)837-2099 as soon as possible.

Will GoMiWiFi continue to enhance WLAN security?
We are committed to working with our equipment suppliers to continue to develop and implement software and other solutions designed to provide enhanced security for customers using our HotSpot service. Please check our Security Statement and these FAQs regularly for updates regarding new wireless security technologies.

Glossary of WLAN security acronyms
802.11b/g Industry standards designation for wireless ethernet
SSL Secure Socket Layer
PDA Personal Digital Assistant
VPN Virtual Private Network
WEP Wireline Equivalent Privacy
Wi-Fi Industry brand designation for wireless ethernet
WLAN Wireless Local Area Network

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