Green Armor Solutions, a leading provider of information security software, recently announced that its new SiteAuth technology is now available. The technology, which is available in API format, helps users to shop and transact in a more secured manner when using public WiFi (News - Alert) networks.

Complementing and seamlessly overlaying existing login and authentication systems, the app notifies a user if he has landed on a clone page that possibly can steal data or even money. The technology uses psychologically-sound visual cues to send out the notifications. Also, to get the notifications, the user is not required to register, answer challenge questions, or undergo any extra steps during the login process.

“People using public WiFi networks, such as those in hotels, restaurants, stores, or airports, for online shopping or banking are at risk of being scammed even when using supposedly secure, encrypted communications to banks or online stores,” said Green Armor Solutions’ CEO, Joseph Steinberg, in a press release. “Criminals can set up phony access points with names identical to legitimate ones, and use any one of several hacking techniques to steal data and money from users. I can demonstrate these tactics with a simple laptop and a portable WiFi device,” Steinberg added.

“The simultaneous elimination of unlimited-cellular-data plans coupled with the proliferation of Wi-Fi enabled devices has caused the number of people utilizing public WiFi networks for shopping and banking to skyrocket,” said Steinberg. “If banks and stores want their customers to be secure they must deploy genuine site authentication techniques that accomplish exactly what the consumer expects and deserves.”“The best way to protect customers from cloned sites is to leverage real, psychologically-sound site authentication and the human response mechanism behind it, and not to layer complicated technologies that end up causing the confusion that criminals desire as they exploit vulnerabilities.”

Rahul Arora is a TMCnet contributor. He has worked as an editor and freelance writer for several reputed organizations in India. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Rich Steeves