Nearly every restaurant, coffee shop, or public hangout spots are happy to provide free Wi-Fi connections for you to use. Now that you have easy access to the internet, you can just fire up your laptop, sip your coffee, and blissfully go about your day, right?
Wrong.
Open Wi-Fi hotspots can now be a haven for online intruders to steal your confidential information, login credentials, and much more. If you need to connect to the internet while you are out, you must take extra caution to ensure your connection cannot be potentially intercepted by a hacker.
Here are 10 Tips for Public Wi-Fi Safety:
- Password-protected public Wi-Fi can still be insecure. It’s publicly known that connecting to open Wi-Fi networks is a risky venture, as anyone can connect and even view all activity without needing a password. However, even password-protected public Wi-Fi hotspots can still be insecure as it is typically one password for all users. One person that is connected that may have the skills and the tools to swipe your information, such as Wi-Fi Sniffers. This could be all it takes to put your information at risk. The security of a public network is never definite.
- Already signed-in? Your logins still get transmitted. If you are connected to the internet daily at your home or office, you may have your social networks, email accounts, or even bank accounts automatically sign in through your favorite web browser or your smartphone. Keep in mind that when you connect to a public Wi-Fi hotspot and you visit one of those sites, your login credentials are still automatically transmitted, thus leaving them open to be intercepted by an intruder. It may be best to use an alternate web browser you normally do not use for when you must connect to a public hotspot. Also, do not allow your phone to auto connect to public Wi-Fi, as that may transmit your app logins as well to an illegitimate network.
- Watch your back. Keep a close eye around you at a public Wi-Fi zone, as people could glance over your shoulder and snoop on your activity. This also applies if you are sitting near a window as someone outside may be spying on you as well. Never leave your laptop or phone out in the open, but if you must step away, be sure to lock your computer or phone with a passcode.
- Read the Terms & Conditions of Public Wi-Fi. Typically, when you are connecting to a public Wi-Fi connection, you will have to accept a Terms and Conditions document before you are granted access. Be sure to give these a thorough read through as many times they will clearly describe what type of connection it is, what kind of data they are collecting, and what you are agreeing to do or not do when connected to their internet. And if the network requires you to install additional software or browser extensions to connect, do NOT connect. Beyond the security side of the matter, this could present a legal issue as well, so read this prompt very carefully before clicking Accept.
- Avoid sharing files over public Wi-Fi. This is a big one as it is another setting that could potentially be active on your machine without you even knowing it. Many file sharing services offer the ability to automatically connect with another user to send and receive files such as Apple’s AirDrop or Direct File Sharing within Windows. However, if you are connecting to a public Wi-Fi hotspot, you need to turn off this function immediately so you can prevent intruders from accessing your files. Depending on your operating system, there may be more than one sharing service active so be sure to turn them all off before you connect.
- Wi-Phishing is real. Wi-Phishing is the act of tricking an unsuspecting user into connecting to a fake Wi-Fi hotspot in order to steal your information. For example, if you are staying at a Marriott hotel and they have a guest Wi-Fi connection called “MarriottGuest” and you see another hotspot called “MarriottGuests,” verify which connection is the real one with the hotel before connecting. Many people do not take the time to check and just connect, but then have their information stolen or incur malware as a result. Also, if the name of the network is something common like “Free Guest WiFi” or “Public Wi-Fi,” that could be a sign that it’s fake.
- Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). We mentioned using a VPN in a previous blog, but it rings true for connecting to a public Wi-Fi hotspot more than anything. Using a VPN encrypts your internet traffic through a secure portal even if the connection is insecure. We still don’t recommend logging in to any private websites or apps when connected to a public Wi-Fi zone, but using a VPN can greatly reduce the chances of being hacked.
- Better yet, use a Mobile Hotspot. Since mobile hotspots provided by your cellphone carrier are a direct connection that you have total control of who has access to, this could be your best option for when you connect on the go. Most smartphones can broadcast a secure mobile hotspot for connecting to the internet or you can get a portable dedicated mobile hotspot from your cellular network provider. Be sure to check your cellular plan to see if mobile hotspot capabilities are included and how much data you can use before you run out or are charged for more access. There may be a cost to a mobile hotspot connection, but it is a much more secure connection than public Wi-Fi.
- Ensure your AntiVirus, Firewall, OS, and Apps are updated. This is a crucial practice no matter what type connection you are on but is even more important if you are connecting to a public Wi-Fi zone. Malvertising (online ads that discreetly carry malware) a known problem online today, but it’s been found that public Wi-Fi networks can inject ads while you are browsing the web on their connection. Ensure that your antivirus software, operating system, web browsers, firewall, and apps are up to date as they typically resolve known security holes that a hacker can exploit. Also, ad blockers can help deter those types of threats, but may limit what websites you can visit (and you can whitelist those you wish to support).
- Do not online shop or perform anything involving private information or login information and ANY public Wi-Fi network. It’s simple. Anything that involves a login of any kind should NOT be done at any time on an open Wi-Fi network. Just as simple as it is to avoid those logins, it’s simple for an intruder to steal your login or credit card details if you connect. Just don’t do it.
We understand there can be a time and a place when connecting to a public Wi-Fi may seem safe, but it’s better to use these practices for when you are traveling and need to make a connection. It will take some extra effort, but it’s worth it for your own security.
neoRhino’s Security Awareness Team, certified IT consultants, and 24/7 helpdesk squad are here to help strengthen your online defenses. You can visit our homepage, see more about The War on CyberSecurity, or give us a call at (281) 779-4850, and we can manage your technology so you can manage your business.
