There’s a good chance it has happened countless times before. You’re in a public space, such as an airport, and you want to connect to Wifi. A public connection exists so you plug in, connect to Wifi, and go about your business without thinking twice. Unfortunately, you’re putting your device and your privacy at risk.
Web Security Researcher Arvindan Sundar of Code Signing Store spoke to SHEFinds.com about the scary reason you should disconnect your phone from public Wifi.
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An open public Wifi network makes the job of a cybercriminal easy, according to Sundar, as it’s estimated that over 370 million users become cybercrime victims just because of unprotected public Wifi hotspots. “Hackers can trick you into connecting to fake Wifi names like 'Free Wi-Fi' in coffee shops, hotels, and airports,” Sundar says. “It doesn't matter if you visit a secure HTTPS-protected site; hackers can break into your cookies session and steal the information they need on public Wifi.”
Sundar says users who connect to a public Wifi network are vulnerable to credential thefts and online eavesdropping. “In the worst case, cyber-attackers can gain access to your computer, infect it with malware, or visit malicious phishing sites,” Sundar says. “Sometimes, you might connect your business laptop to a public Wifi network while traveling. When your connection is not a secure one, hackers can access your organization's network and disrupt its entire cybersecurity system.”
There are a few important steps you can take to make sure your device isn’t automatically connecting to public Wifi without your knowledge. Firstly, disable the Auto Wifi connect option to avoid accessing unknown networks without your knowledge, Sundar says. Next, subscribe to a Virtual Private Network. A VPN is a secure way to access the internet without leaking your online identity and browsing activity.
Other important steps to take include using multi-factor authentication that prevents you against credential and data thefts on public Wifi, Sundar says, and ensuring the websites you visit are HTTPS protected.
And before you give in and do a little Amazon shopping while waiting for that train or flight, think twice. “Avoid performing financial transactions like banking and paying bills when on a public Wifi network,”Sundar says.
The less activity you engage in while hooked up to public Wifi, the better for your privacy and security.
