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Public Wi-Fi is a perk many coffee shops, libraries, and hotels offer. This means you can use your laptop or phone without a hotspot or risk going over your data plan. The convenience of browsing the web on public Wi-Fi is extremely tempting, but this is one temptation you don’t want to give into.
How Hackers Use Public Wi-Fi to Steal Your Data
When you sign into public Wi-Fi there is no way to guarantee the network is secure or know who else is connected to the network. Even if there is a password in place, it doesn’t mean the network is safe to use. If the network is not secure and you log in to a site that is unencrypted, even novice hackers will have the ability to steal your information.
Another trick hackers use is to place a hotspot in the vicinity of a public Wi-Fi location and mimic the name of the network. For example, the name of the Wi-Fi provided by the location might be “CoffeeLovers12” and the hacker’s Wi-Fi network could be “coffeelovers12”. It’s easy to mistake and suddenly everything you’re doing while connected to the network is in the hands of the hacker.
So, what do you do when you’re in a pinch and you absolutely must connect to public Wi-Fi? There are a few ways to use a public network that are safer than others. Depending on what you need to do, you might be able to safely use public Wi-Fi if you follow these tips.
When is it Safe to Use Public Wi-Fi?
The keyword when using public Wi-Fi is encryption. You can encrypt what you are working on through secure websites (websites beginning in HTTPS that you trust) or using a virtual private network (VPN) which automatically encrypts everything you do while logged in.
Making sure you have different passwords for every login, logging out of every site before you close the browser, and keeping away from scam websites can all help keep your data safe on public Wi-Fi. Stick to websites you know and pay attention to browser alerts when entering a site that you’re not sure about.
Lastly, avoid accessing personal or financial information completely if possible. Your best bet to keep your financial information secure is by never accessing it on public Wi-Fi. Ever.
The Moral of the Story Is…
While there are ways to keep your data more secure while using public Wi-Fi, there is no way to keep it 100% secure unless you’re using a VPN. There will always be a chance that a hacker might be targeting the network you’re connected to. For more information on virtual private networks, contact your local IT company and increase your cybersecurity today!
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