Data Privacy Day for wireless networks

In recognition of national Data Privacy Day, which falls on Friday, Jan. 28, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is urging state residents to protect their personal and communications data by encrypting their wireless Internet networks. The attorney general’s warning stems from her investigation into Google’s collection of unencrypted data from consumers’ home networks.

“Consumers should be aware that off-the-shelf wireless routers are not automatically encrypted and that they should take additional steps to better protect their sensitive information,” Coakley said. “We have entered a new and more sophisticated age of cybercrime and the best way to protect your personal information from getting robbed is to make sure it is secured.”