WiFi networks for public use can be very useful when, for example, we travel and have coverage problems, or if we simply want backup mobile data. Unfortunately, these networks carry security risks that we are sometimes not aware of.
This is why many experts recommend mobile device users avoid connecting to public WiFi networksor if you do, it’s best to take some precautions. Maybe you are in a hotel or cafeteria and want to take advantage of the Internet connection through its public WiFi network, but it is better to do it in a way that protects our data and our devices.
According to experts, it is best to avoid using public WiFi networks unless…
Essentially, the biggest risk of using a publicly accessible WiFi network is that we don’t know who else may be connected to the same network, or what their intentions are. In the case of being connected to the same network as an attacker or cybercriminal, it could access our devices, steal our dataour passwords and even perform other actions on our devices, provided they have the necessary knowledge.
This is something to keep in mind when considering connecting to a public WiFi network. This is explained by cybersecurity experts such as Hugo Werner, who is part of Akamai, a company focused on developing IT security software and solutions. In an interview with Animal Político, Werner talked about the risks of using public WiFi networks and some ways to stay protected.
Among the risks associated with the use of these networks, the expert mentions the possible theft of victims’ information, including the theft of their passwords. In some cases, cybercriminals create fake and fraudulent web pages so that victims Enter your data believing this is the real website and, in this way, obtain your login information, for example, on the pages of banks and other services that contain sensitive information.
Hackers can also infect with different types of malware victim devices via these compromised networks.
It is best to avoid connecting to these public WiFi networks, but in cases where we need it, there are steps we can take to protect ourselves:
- It is best to connect using a VPN to keep our connection more secure.
- Do not use public WiFi to access our bank’s website or any service containing sensitive information.
- Avoid accessing any web page or service in which we must enter our username and password.
- Last but not least, it is always advisable keep our devices up to date to have the latest security patches available.
Cover photo | Sten Ritterfeld on Unsplash
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