Here are some simple steps to help you avoid these risks:

1. Turn off your wireless ad hoc mode, and don’t connect to other ad hoc networks, unless you have a very good reason to do so — perhaps to exchange information among trusted people in a secure meeting room. The rule of thumb, however, should be: don’t use ad hoc networks!

2. Before connecting to your corporate wired network, disable your wireless card, or check that your wireless NIC isn’t in ad hoc mode and isn’t connected to any wireless network.

3. Ask your IT department for the corporate wireless usage policy, and adhere to it. The policies are intended to protect corporate information and all mobile users share that responsibility.
And here are some things IT departments can do to ensure secure and manageable wireless computing:

4. Don’t look at wireless as a separate island of technology; it is an integral part of your enterprise.

5. Enterprise IT management must include the security and management of wireless end-devices — both in connected and disconnected modes.

6. Utilise a comprehensive enterprise management solution that provides automatic policy enforcement across wired and wireless systems.

Network connectivity will continue to be a hybrid of wired and wireless. Adhering to best practices will help secure our devices and prevent corporate information from being compromised. So, the next time you connect to a Wi-Fi network, make sure you’ve taken care of the hidden risks before you launch into the wireless cyberspace.