Using public Wi-Fi at airports, cafés, hotels, and any other public places may sometimes be the only option to enable us to do some tasks that need an internet connection. However, public Wi-Fi has several security risks you must know to determine how best to deal with them. In this article, we will discuss some of the common dangers of public Wi-Fi. We will also share some of the effective ways to safely use public Wi-Fi if it is the only internet option you have.
Dangers of public Wi-Fi
Man-in-the-middle attacks
Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks happen when a hacker gets in between your device and the website or application you are trying to access on the internet. This allows them to read all the information being sent and received by your device and the servers of the websites and apps you are using.
That means all your private information, including payment details, will now be accessible to these hackers. This information can later be used for the wrong reasons, including blackmail and many more. You are more likely to be a victim of MITM attacks if you are a public figure because hackers can threaten to leak your data if you don’t give them what they ask for.
Malware attacks
Another common danger that comes with using public Wi-Fi is malware, which may include viruses, ransomware, spyware, and more. Cybercriminals use public Wi-Fi as one of the channels to distribute malware. The malware spread on these networks is mainly aimed at damaging the victims’ files or phishing their private data.
In the worst-case scenario, public Wi-Fi can also be used to launch ransomware attacks that lock victims out of their computers. When this happens, victims are required to pay hackers a certain amount of money before being given access back to their computers. Hackers also tend to target people who value the data on their computers because such people don’t have the option of wiping their hard drives to install a clean OS.
Public Wi-Fi admins can monitor your browsing activities.
If you use a public Wi-Fi network to browse the web, all information, such as the websites you visit and how long you visit them, can be seen by the admins of that network. This can be a risk if you are someone who wouldn’t wish such information to be seen by anyone. For instance, politicians and other public figures like journalists may prefer having such information private.
You could easily log in to the wrong Wi-Fi network.
Hackers could set up a public Wi-Fi network close to a Café or hotel to trick users into using it instead of the actual network set up by the service providers of those facilities. These attackers usually make logging into their network effortless. Using such a network can be a huge risk since hackers can access the files on your computer or your log-in information for the different websites or apps you use.
How to stay safe on public Wi-Fi
Now that you know some of the common risks that come with using public Wi-Fi, let’s discuss the effective ways to stay safe if using these networks is the only option you have.
Use a VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts all the traffic sent from your device, making it nearly impossible for hackers to access your data or browsing activities. With a VPN installed and enabled on your device, even the admins of the network won’t be able to see the websites you are accessing on your device.
All they can see is that your device is connecting to their network using a VPN. Using a VPN also hides the actual IP address of your device, so hackers won’t have the option of attacking your device using the IP address. So even if you use your phone to access the network, ensure a VPN is enabled.
Avoid sharing files via the network.
Both windows and macOS allow wireless file sharing between two devices connected on the same Wi-Fi network. When using public Wi-Fi, we recommend not sharing sensitive files between your devices or colleagues’. This is because the files being sent between the devices on the network could be highjacked by hackers. If you want to share files, it would be safer to share them via the cloud and not directly between devices.
Install an antivirus on your device
As we shared earlier, public Wi-Fi networks are used by attackers to distribute malware that could affect the files on your machine or expose your sensitive information. With an updated antivirus, your PC will be safeguarded from most of the malware that is distributed using the public network. However, even if you are using a VPN, your device can be affected by malware if it is connected to a vulnerable public Wi-Fi hotspot.
For better security, I recommend updating your antivirus whenever a new update is rolled out. Having an outdated antivirus will put your device at risk of being affected by newer malware. I also recommend using the premium versions of the antivirus tools so that you have access to all the latest security features they offer.
Avoid logging into unsafe websites.
Unsafe websites are those without SSL certificates, so their URL doesn’t start with https but rather http. The data sent between your browser and such websites is not encrypted. This gives direct access to admins and hackers to all the data you send or receive from these websites. This time admins and hackers will not only see the websites you are using but also all the data you send and receive.
Make sure your computer’s firewall is turned on.
The firewall monitors all incoming and outgoing traffic on your computer. So, it can block some of this traffic based on predetermined rules. Most modern desktop operating systems have the firewall enabled by default, so access to unsecured websites is usually blocked. Nevertheless, it is important to confirm that the firewall is turned on to be on the safe side.
Keep your OS up to date.
Both desktop and mobile operating system vendors, including Apple (iOS and macOS), Microsoft (Windows) and Google (Android), release updates that usually include security patches. Some of these patches are meant to fix the security vulnerabilities of the devices running their Operating Systems when connected to public networks.
Avoid auto-connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.
All the popular Operating Systems, including iOS, Android, macOS and Windows, will automatically connect to any available Wi-Fi network you previously logged in to. With auto-connection on, your computer will connect to the public Wi-Fi network even when your VPN is not enabled. This puts your data at risk. To avoid this, consider disabling auto-connection to Wi-Fi. This option can be found under your device’s network settings.
Final thoughts
Public Wi-Fi networks can often be our saviour if we want to send that urgent email or catch up with some relevant news on Twitter. However, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with using these networks. I have discussed most of the common risks of public Wi-Fi and what you should do to stay safe. But if you have the option, always avoid using public Wi-Fi if you value your privacy and security on the web.
