Public network Wi-Fi is extremely useful for people who work remotely, travel frequently, or just want to quickly check social media or email while on the go. But until now, open Wi-Fi has been maligned as a dangerous internet space where your information can be compromised. Major online security concerns include spyware and harmful sites designed to trick you into giving up your passwords or installing malicious software.
No Wi-Fi network is completely risk-free, but the safety of your personal information largely depends on the type of Wi-Fi network you use. Your home Wi-Fi is probably not a public network, so it should be safe. But free Wi-Fi, found in airports, doctor’s offices, coffee shops, and other public spaces, is a different story. Hotel Wi-Fi can also pose a security threat. Usually the company publishes his Wi-Fi password, so you can enter it. You may also be required to create an account before accessing the Internet. This is considered secure Wi-Fi. However, in many cases all you need to do is check the terms and conditions and ‘sign in’. Other times, you may not need to do anything at all. Consider this a red flag that you’re dealing with public network Wi-Fi, also known as an unsecured network.
Just like using good passwords and knowing how to tell if your computer has been hacked, you should never use free Wi-Fi based on the signs of a suspicious open Wi-Fi network. Being able to identify where not to go is an important step to staying safe. Stay safe online. So read this article to learn what you’re at risk when logging on in public, and the pros and cons of using public Wi-Fi.
Is public Wi-Fi safe?
Many of the previous dangers of using public Wi-Fi disappeared when websites became encrypted with HTTPS (Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol). When a URL includes HTTPS, all data sent over the Internet is scrambled into a meaningless string of letters and numbers that cannot be deciphered by “eavesdroppers.”
This wasn’t the case before, and hackers could easily steal your passwords when you log into websites, spy on your online activities, and inject their own content into the websites you visit. . But by 2016, about half of all websites were using HTTPS.
Currently, more than 99% of all browsing time on Chrome is spent on HTTPS websites. Other browsers follow suit, with 97% of Windows browsing and 95% of Android browsing occurring on HTTPS sites.
Still, that doesn’t mean public network Wi-Fi is now completely secure. “I can’t say with 100% certainty that ‘if your device is encrypted and you’re accessing a website that’s encrypted, you’re safe from hackers,'” said the founder and founder of IronTech Security. CEO Tom Kirkham warns. In the race to steal data, hackers are constantly developing new strategies.
And if you’re using an open, unsecured public Wi-Fi network, everything goes awry. “Ultimately, it’s everyone’s responsibility to take care of their protection,” Kirkham says. “The more private it is, the more secure it is.”
Why shouldn’t you use public Wi-Fi?
According to Kirkham, public network Wi-Fi can expose users to potential security risks, especially on the sites where they use the product. “With free stuff like Facebook and Google, you’re the product, not the customer,” he says. “They’re selling your personal information. Security is an afterthought priority.”
Therefore, Kirkham strongly recommends not using these types of sites on public network Wi-Fi. “In the worst case scenario, that data could be used for extortion or identity theft.” Less serious (but more common) use of public Wi-Fi without proper precautions Impacts include:
malicious hotspot
Hot spots are places where people can access the Internet, such as airports, restaurants, and universities. “Malicious hot spots may look real, but they’re actually fake,” Kirkham says. “Cybercriminals are often able to do things like: [still] Because you’re connected to a non-legitimate Wi-Fi network, your passwords can be stolen, malicious software can be installed, and your computer can be spied on. ”
man-in-the-middle attack
“When a user connects to a fake Wi-Fi network or hotspot, they are essentially giving a hacker an invitation to their device,” Kirkham explains. This opens the door to so-called man-in-the-middle attacks.
It works like this: When you try to connect to a particular website (for example, your bank), a malicious hotspot redirects you to a website that looks similar to your bank’s but is not secure. When you enter passwords, credit card numbers, email addresses, and other sensitive information, hackers steal it. “Usually it happens so seamlessly that people don’t even realize it’s happening until it’s too late,” Kirkham says.
evil twin attack
Similar to a man-in-the-middle attack, an “evil twin” attack is when a malicious party sets up a network with a name very similar to the one the user was trying to use, hoping that the user will connect by mistake. Occurs when The purpose is to perform phishing attacks or trick people into divulging personal information.
unencrypted network
Even if you connect to a legitimate website over HTTPS over a legitimate network, cybercriminals can still spy on your browsing habits. This is because Domain Name System (DNS) is not always encrypted. In other words, hackers can see the domain name of the site you visit, such as RD.com, but they can’t see the specific pages you visit on that domain or the information you enter there.
How can I keep my information safe when using public network Wi-Fi?
Although there are many drawbacks to using public Wi-Fi, the good news is that you don’t have to abandon public Wi-Fi completely. Kirkham suggests several ways to keep your information as safe as possible while browsing.
Use a VPN
One of the best ways to keep your information safe on public Wi-Fi is to invest in a virtual private network. Commonly known as a VPN, it creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet. “We encrypt and protect your data so malicious attackers can’t see what you’re doing online,” Kirkham says.
Companies often install VPNs on the devices their employees use when working outside the office, but they are also available to individuals. Just download it from your regular app store (Astril VPN, NordVPN, ExpressVPN are some of our expert favorites) and install it on your personal device. “There are a lot of good ones out there, and reading reviews can give you advice,” Kirkham said.
Use your smartphone as a mobile hotspot
Most devices have the ability to turn your smartphone into a mobile hotspot, but some service providers may charge a fee. Kirkham says most major carriers offer encrypted hotspot units as standalone devices, so “there’s always the option of purchasing or renting an encrypted hotspot unit.” Masu.
Do you really want to protect your sensitive information? “The safest course of action is to use your phone as a hotspot and turn on a virtual private network,” says Kirkham. “This way, your data is encrypted in a stronger way. This makes Wi-Fi less important. Be sure to set a very strong password that you don’t use anywhere else.”
If you use your phone to access the web in public, consider downloading a security app first.
Check website security
If you connect to a website over public network Wi-Fi, make sure the website is secure before entering your personal information. To determine whether a site is secure, look for “HTTPS” in the website address. If it says only “HTTP” (no “S”), do not continue. As a rule of thumb, never browse HTTP websites on public Wi-Fi.
Many web browsers, such as Chrome, Edge, and Safari, display a padlock icon in the address bar when a site is secure. Note that mobile apps typically do not display information to users indicating whether their data is encrypted. Therefore, if your app contains sensitive information, you may want to avoid using it over public Wi-Fi.
Use two-factor authentication
If a website offers this additional security step when logging in, take advantage of it. Two-factor authentication means that after you enter your password (the first factor), you have to submit her second factor to prove you are who you say you are. There are several ways to verify your identity, but the most common method is to enter a code (usually a series of numbers) sent to you via text message from a website or app. Most major websites offer the option of two-factor authentication.
Avoid using the same password on multiple sites and apps
Indeed, using the same password for all your accounts makes logging in quick and easy. And all cybersecurity experts agree that you should never do this, as it puts you at significant risk of a security breach. If you’re concerned about your online security, you should have a different password for each account. That way, even if a scammer gains access to one of her sites, they won’t be able to hack all of her other accounts.
You can also use an encrypted password manager to protect your passwords without having to enter them online. Bonus: Most password managers will also let you create a complex password that meets all the requirements of any site, and will save it for you so you don’t have to remember it.
Turn off file sharing
If you regularly use file sharing (such as iCloud or Google Drive) on your computer at work, or even if you share it with other family members at home, be sure to disable it before using public Wi-Fi. please. Turn this on to make your shared files and folders accessible to other users on the same open Wi-Fi network.
Remember to log off
“Some browsers automatically save your credentials for easy login, so you don’t want to close the tab or app when you’re done,” says Kirkham. When you’re finished working online, be sure to log off from her websites, apps, and networks to prevent others from accessing these credentials.
Make sure your software is updated
Finally, always keep the software on your device updated. Instead of asking for software update alerts tomorrow (and the next day, and the next…), download updates as soon as they’re available. Often includes security patches for known vulnerabilities.
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