Gadgets Secure PCs on Public Wi-Fi

With the proliferation of hotspots comes a security risk of intrusions onto laptops or public PC kiosks connected to public Wi-Fi networks. Two companies have unveiled a solution: Plug-in hardware devices that lock down sensitive information and secure communications over both wireless and wired networks. Seclarity of San Francisco is introducing this week its SiNic Wireless network interface card. Also making its debut is Fireball KeyPoint, a USB token billed as a "secure mobility appliance" from vendor RedCannon Security of Fremont, California.

Both are intended to address Network administrators' concerns that malicious hackers and worms can slip past heavily fortified network perimeters through public access networks. They might compromise computers in home offices, tunnel through virtual private network sessions from compromised systems, or take advantage of wide-open public wireless hotspots like those offered by coffee house giant Starbucks. The threat has prompted vendors to pay increased attention to the issue of so-called "end point" security.