In all honesty, free public WiFi can be such a lifesaver. We totally understand how you would prefer to use it than your cellular data because you’ll be spending way less, and sometimes, the overall speed is just so much better. When your internet connection fails at home, more often than not it’s easy to go to a cafe and use WiFi from there. However, in case you didn’t know, doing this makes you vulnerable to certain risks. According to tech expert Atish Ranjan of Feedbeater, connecting to public WiFi can lead to misuse of personal data, distribution of malware, unsecure connection, online attacks, eavesdropping, and more.
But let’s face it: the reality is there will be times when you’ll need to connect to public WiFi. That’s absolutely okay, but it’s important to take the necessary precautions when you do. In fact, tech experts believe that there’s one common mistake people should be aware of when it comes to using outside networks. Keep reading to know more from Arvind Patil, country manager at Selectra India and Josh Wright, CEO of CellPhoneDeal.
Mistake: Making Financial Transactions While Connected To Public WiFi
By all means, everything that involves handling money—such as online shopping, paying bills, and accessing bank accounts—should be avoided when you're connected to an unknown network.
Patil says, "With public WiFi being used by people all the time, the chances of a security breach are higher than ever. The feature that allows your mobiles to connect automatically to a public WiFi is extremely risky as most of you are not even aware of the connection.”
Wright emphasizes, "Never enter payment information into a payment portal or [type] passwords into your sign-in page while you're connected. These public networks are, in most cases, notoriously under protected and can leave at risk of having your information compromised and stolen." He adds, "If you have to wait just a few more minutes to get home to use your personal WiFi, it will be much safer for your information than risking it to someone who might be lurking on those public networks."
Additionally, Patil warns, "In all such activities, middlemen can intercept your transactions and gain access to your confidential data. This is a huge threat to all users." He also mentions that you should refrain from revealing your login credentials when you visit various websites. "Make sure you conduct such log-in procedures on a secure WiFi connection. Never on public WiFi."
Safety should be your top priority—especially in the digital age when everything can be done with just one click. Your money is definitely something you want to protect, so take this as a friendly reminder to be vigilant at all times. Public WiFi is great, but just remember to use it wisely.
