Risks of a public WiFi

 

We have many free WIFI sources available in several places located in our city. Maybe you go to McDonald’s and take a look at your work, for this you may need to connect to the free WIFI service provided by McDonald’s. Not just McDonalds but there are many places that provide free WIFI access points. But the point where I want to make is there are a lot of risks using public wifi. Most hackers target users using public WIFI. Fiertech is providing information on how not to get yourself into trouble through public wifi.

The Risks of a Public Wi-fi

Free Wi-Fi hotspots are available for free that requires no authentication or a password. After connecting to the public WIFI, you get into a trap set up by hackers. Hackers get the opportunity  to get unfettered access to unsecured devices on the same network.

The biggest threat to free Wi-Fi security is the ability of the hacker to position himself between you and the connection point. This means that the website you are using or giving information will go through the hacker. 

By this means the hacker gets all your information. May it be an online transaction or a username or password. The hacker will have direct access to every piece of information you're sending out on the Internet: important emails, credit card information, and even security credentials to your business network.

As mobile Wi-Fi becomes increasingly common, you can expect Internet security issues and public Wi-Fi risks to grow over time. But this doesn't mean that you completely avoid using public WIFI. The majority of Black Hat Hackers are simply going after easy targets, so taking a few precautions should keep your information safe and can keep you safe from hackers.

Precautions to use while using a Public WIFI

Use a VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) connection is a must when connecting to your business through an unsecured wireless connection, like a Wi-Fi hotspot. Even when a hacker manages to get himself in the middle of your connection, the data here will be encrypted. Since most hackers are after an easy target, they will probably discard stolen information rather than putting it in a lengthy decryption process.

Use SSL Connections

Most probably people won’t use VPN for general Internet browsing. While surfing using only HTTPS protected sites to get in an encryption layer. Enable the "Always Use HTTPS" option on websites that you visit frequently, or that require you to enter some kind of credentials. Remember that hackers understand how people reuse passwords, so your username and password for some random forum may be the same as it is for your bank or corporate network, and sending these credentials in an unencrypted manner could open the door to a smart hacker. Most websites that require an account or credentials have the "HTTPS" option somewhere in their settings.

Turn Off Sharing

When connecting to the Internet in a public place, you're unlikely to want to share anything. You can turn off sharing from the system preferences or Control Panel, depending on your OS.

Keep Wi-Fi Off When You Don't Need It

Even when you aren't actively connected to a network, many smartphones have an option to get connected to available WiFi connectivity. Most of them could get switched off. If you're just using your computer to work on a Word or Excel document, keep your Wi-Fi off.

Stay Protected

Even If you follow all security measures there are likely chances of getting hacked. There are a lot of sim services offering internet packages. You can use that service. But throughout any business traveler’s life, there is going to come a time when an unsecured, free, public Wi-Fi hotspot is the only connection available, and your work simply has to get done right then. Understanding public Wi-Fi risks will ensure your important business data doesn't become just another hacking statistic.