The Ways to Use Public Wi-Fi Without Putting Yourself in Danger
The use of public Wi-Fi is easy, whether you are at a library, an airport, or a café; yet, it is also a popular hunting ground for hackers (also known as hackers). This makes it much simpler for hackers to steal passwords, intercept messages, or even take control of your device while you are connected to an open network since open networks often lack effective protection. The good news is that if you have the correct habits, you can take advantage of free internet access without putting your data at danger.
1. Be educated on the dangers of using public Wi-Fi.
If you join to a public network, you will be sharing the same access point with people who are not familiar with you. Because of this, you are vulnerable to:
- An attack known as a “man in the middle” occurs when hackers intercept your communication.
- In order to deceive you into joining, fake hotspots have been put up.
- When unencrypted communication is accessible to other people, this is known as data spying.
- The process of hostile actors pushing destructive files onto your device is known as malware injection.
2. Always use a virtual private network (VPN).
The communication that you send and receive using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is encrypted, rendering it unintelligible to hackers even if they manage to intercept it. Investing in a trustworthy virtual private network (VPN) is one of the finest measures you can take if you often use public Wi-Fi.
3. Ensure that you only connect to secure networks.
WPA2 and WPA3 encryption should be identified on Wi-Fi connections that you are looking for. If at all possible, you should steer clear of open networks that do not need passwords since they are the simplest to attack.
4. Disable the Automatic Connections feature.
The vast majority of devices are configured to automatically connect to networks that are already recognizable to them. This might be risky if a hacker sets a hotspot with the same name. You should disable the auto-connect feature and instead pick networks manually.
5. Activate the firewall and any other security software
Not only can firewalls prevent unwanted access, but security software also assists in the detection of malware. Ensure that both are turned on before attempting to join to a public Wi-Fi network.
6. Always use websites that use HTTPS.
Even if you are unable to use a virtual private network (VPN), you should verify your browser for the HTTPS padlock sign. Your contact with the website will be encrypted as a result of this implementation.
7. Stay away from transactions that are sensitive.
Internet banking, inputting credit card information, and viewing sensitive work documents are not activities that should be performed on public Wi-Fi networks. Put such duties on hold until you have a private and secure connection.
8. Double-factor authentication should be used.
With two-factor authentication (2FA), you have an additional layer of protection even if a hacker manages to obtain your password. To log in using two-factor authentication, they would also need access to your phone or email.
9. After use, forget about the networks.
Setting your device to “forget this network” after you are finished is the next step. Reducing exposure and preventing it from automatically rejoining at a later time are both benefits of this.
10. Take into consideration the use of a mobile hotspot
In situations when you are unsure, it is far safer to connect to an unfamiliar Wi-Fi network than to use the personal hotspot on your phone. Encryption and privacy are both features of your cellphone connection.
The security of public Wi-Fi networks does not have to be a nightmare. It is possible to significantly lessen the dangers by using solutions such as virtual private networks (VPNs), robust encryption, and two-factor authentication in conjunction with common sense. To put it another way, public Wi-Fi is comparable to going through a busy street; you may take pleasure in it, but you should keep your belongings close at hand.