PublicWi-Fi is available just about everywhere, from the local coffee shop to thehotels and airports you visit while traveling.
Manypeople don’t think twice before accessing their bank accounts, social mediaprofiles, and credit card accounts etc using public wi-fi. Unfortunately, doingsuch activities on public wi-fi can leave your device vulnerable to acyberattack.
Freepublic wi-fi can be a lifesaver – as it helps you stay connected with familyand friends over the internet. However, public wi-fi comes with serioussecurity risks and it is important to be more vigilant – when using publicwi-fi.
Hereis a helpful list of dos and don’ts you should follow if you plan to use publicWi-Fi.
TwoTypes of Public Wi-Fi
Thereare basically two kinds of public Wi-Fi networks: secured and unsecured.
Anunsecured network can be connected to within range and without any type ofsecurity feature like a password or login. Conversely, a secured networkrequires a user to agree to legal terms, register an account, or type in apassword before connecting to the network. It may also require a fee or storepurchase to gain access to the password or network.
Regardlessof the connection type, you shouldalwaysuse public Wi-Fi with caution. Now let’s look at some dos and don’ts:
Doconnect to secure public networks whenever possible. Inthe event that you’re unable to connect to a secured network, using anunsecured network would be permissible if the connection requires some sort oflogin or registration.
Don'taccess personal bank accounts, or sensitive personal data,on unsecured public networks. Even secured networks can be risky. Use your bestjudgment if you must access these accounts on public Wi-Fi.
Don'tleave your laptop, tablet, or smartphone unattended in apublic place. Even if you’re working on a secure Wi-Fi network, that won’t stopsomeone from taking your property or sneaking a peek at your device.
Don'tshop online when using public Wi-Fi. Sure, shoppingdoesn’t seem like it involves sensitive data, but making purchases onlinerequires personal information that could include bank account and retailerlogin credentials. Shopping isn’t something you want to do on an unsecuredWi-Fi network.
Doturn off automatic connectivity. Most smartphones,laptops, and tablets have automatic connectivity settings, which allow you toseamlessly connect from one hotspot to the next. This is a convenient feature,but it can also connect your devices to networks you ordinarily would not use.Keep these settings turned off, especially when you’re traveling to unfamiliarplaces.
Domonitor your Bluetooth connectivity. Bluetooth in the homeis an amazing feature on many smart devices. However, leaving Bluetooth onwhile in public places can pose a huge risk to your cybersecurity. Bluetoothconnectivity allows various devices to communicate with each other, and ahacker can look for open Bluetooth signals to gain access to your devices. Keepthis function on your phone and other devices locked down when you leave yourhome, office, or similar secured area.
Dothink about using avirtualprivate network(VPN) solution to ensure your privacy and anonymityare protected when you use public Wi-Fi. VPN services, like the newNorton Secure VPN,can encrypt all the data that you send and receive while using a public Wi-Fihotspot, securing your information from other users of the same connection.
- Alison Grace Johansen
- Freelance writer
Alison Grace Johansen is a freelance writer who covers cybersecurity and consumer topics. Her background includes law, corporate governance, and publishing.
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