Do you believe that public WiFi in restaurants, shopping malls, cafes, or parks is free and safe? Well, I believed the same and carefreely connected to a public WiFi wherever I found one. But what we don’t know is that we might have to pay a huge price for using public WiFi.
Most people may not believe this, but cybercriminals can use public WiFi to launch cyberattacks on our devices.
That said, fret not if you’re a regular public WiFi user. Below, I will discuss a few important factors for securely connecting to and using public WiFi.
But before I get to that, check if your internet service provider (ISP) offers WiFi hotspots. As a Spectrum user, I rarely connect to public WiFi as they offer millions of free, fast, and reliable WiFi hotspots across the country. Also, I can always call Spectrum customer service to find out the nearest WiFi hotspot anytime I want.
So, if your provider offers public WiFi hotspots, it’s always recommended to use them since they are safe and reliable. However, if you need to connect to a public WiFi hotspot, here are seven factors to keep in mind.
Only Connect to a Password-Protected Public WiFi
You may have noticed that some public WiFi connections do not require a password to connect.
Such public WiFi hotspots are vulnerable to cyber criminals as they may easily connect and infect the network with malware or viruses. On the flip side, public WiFi protected by a password is generally more secure.
Some public WiFi may even use strong encryptions to secure the network.
Enable Firewall and Use Anti-Virus Software
Firewalls and anti-virus software are security tools that may offer maximum security to keep your devices secure from bugs and viruses. The firewall can detect malware and viruses and stop them from entering your device.
On the other hand, an anti-virus tool may be handy to detect and root out the malicious contents in your device.
Connect to a VPN Before Using Public WiFi
A virtual private network (VPN) creates an encrypted tunnel between its server and your device as soon as you connect to it. The incoming and outgoing data first goes through this encrypted VPN tunnel and then to its location.
Furthermore, a VPN also alters your device’s IP address. By doing so, your device may become unrecognizable to bad actors, and they may fail to launch any cyberattacks on your device.
Do Not Access or Share Sensitive Information on Public WiFi
While it may be fine to use public WiFi for taking an online class, listening to music, streaming a movie, etc., you should avoid using it for accessing or sharing sensitive information like bank details or social security numbers.
Even if you’re taking all the safety measures to use a public WiFi, you may never know if it is infected by a cybercriminal or not. So, I believe it’s best never to access or share sensitive information as there is always a chance that it may fall into the wrong hands.
Always Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) can be really helpful in securing apps on your device. While browsing social media sites, you may sometimes need to enter login details such as email and password. Here, 2FA can be handy as it may act as an additional security layer in protecting your sensitive credentials.
Only Visit Secure Websites on Public WiFi
It’s best if you visit those websites only on public WiFi that take solid security measures to protect your data. Here, you’re probably wondering how you can identify secure websites, right?
Well, one apparent sign of secure websites is that they start with “HTTPS”.
Here, the “S” represents that the website has encryptions in place to secure users’ data. That said, some websites start with “HTTP,” and they do not use any encryption to secure the users’ data.
Remove the Network After Using It
Once you’re done using the public WiFi, remove the network from your device. It’s because if you don’t remove the network, your device may automatically connect to it the next time without you knowing.
It’s also a possibility that you may access sensitive information or forget to take any security measures while using the same network next time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can hackers see my online activities on public WiFi?
Yes, if the network is unencrypted and you’re not using a VPN, then hackers may see your online activities on public WiFi.
Is it better to use ISP–provided hotspots than public WiFi?
Yes, it’s better to use ISP-provided hotspots as they may be more secure, fast, and reliable than public WiFi.
Are all public WiFi hotspots unencrypted?
No, some public WiFi may have encryptions in place and require a password to access them.
