Is it Safe to Use Public Wi-Fi?

For those on the move, the convenience of having access to public Wi-Fi networks appears to be a boon. Public spaces like railway stations, airports, parks, cafes, hotels, etc., offer this facility for those who want to stay connected wherever they are.

However, this convenience does come with its share of risks, as hackers can easily get into your devices when connected to such networks. Sensitive data like your login passwords to banking sites, emails and other accounts can become easily compromised and used for illegitimate activities. Hence, it’s important to adhere to the following tips and keep your data safe when connecting to a public Wi-Fi:

Validate the Network

Its very easy for malicious actors to create look-alike wireless networks that are similar to the official public network you are trying to connect to. Double check the network before selecting it, or validate it with a staff member first. Otherwise, you could end up in the hacker’s net.

Protect Your Sensitive Data

Since some public wireless connections need you to provide a legitimate email address to sign into their network, create an email ID or password specifically for use when signing into these public Wi-Fis and don’t use them again for your regular browsing activities. This way, you can protect your sensitive data to some extent.

Forget Network

When you are done using a public Wi-Fi connection, you need to ensure your device’s operating system forgets the network. You can do this easily by selecting the network and clicking on the ‘Forget’ option. This will ensure that your device doesn’t automatically get logged on the public network the next time you are in that area!

VPN

Consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when logging into a public Wi-Fi network. This service masks your IP address and encrypts all the data being transferred over your device. While VPNs are a paid service, they are essential for regular users of public networks.

Hotspot

If you are going to accessing sensitive information, its always safer to use your hotspot. Though it will use up your data plan, its always better to be safe than sorry.

Finally, why not read a book or talk to someone, instead of connecting to a public Wi-Fi!