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Online hacking draws attention at SXSW
Day 4 SXSW: Shaq gives presentation
Updated: Tuesday, 12 Mar 2013, 3:30 PM CDT
Published : Monday, 11 Mar 2013, 6:59 PM CDT
AUSTIN (KXAN) -
Some of the biggest developments in mobile and interactive technologies are on display this week at South By Southwest.
While you might want to get online to try out those newly developed apps, watch out. The public Wi-Fi many festival goers are using is a target for hackers.
Staying connected at SXSW interactive is easy, but its also easy for hackers to steal your information.
Many have turned to their laptops, smartphones, and tablets to stay in the know. Even big named celebrities like Shaquille O'Neal are in town giving presentations about staying connected through social media.
"If you don't know how to work technology now, something is really wrong with you," the retired NBA star said. "I was at the convention center yesterday, and I felt like I was at ToysRUs."
Logging on to public Wi-Fi networks could land your private information in the wrong hands in a matter of minutes.
"Most people have precariously similar credentials when it comes to Facebook, Twitter, and their banking accounts; the password isn't good enough," said Josh Alexander, creator of the website and app Toopher.com.
The site protects your passwords by alerting you when someone logs onto your account through a foreign computer. Once you get the alert users can allow or deny access from there.
"If somebody is using your password and username on a different computer, it's not automatic," Alexanders said. "It gets pushed to your phone, and you know immediately that someone is violating your account."
Hacking technology these days are so advanced that no one is off-limits. Experts say you can also protect yourself by logging into a virtual private network.
They are steps that are necessary in a day and age where technology can be our best friend or our biggest enemy.
"My concern is what happens when trillions of dollars are stolen from financial institutions or planes are rerouted over the eastern seaboard, Alexander said. "These are all just a few keystrokes and authentications away."
SXSW interactive wraps up Tuesday.
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