Lots of people find public WiFi really convenient when they’re out and about. Being able to connect to a free hotspot and check messages, watch videos, upload photos, or finish some last minute work can be a lifesaver. But what many people don’t realize is that the convenience of public WiFi comes at a cost – and it is one of the least secure and most risky ways to access the internet.
To put it simply, public WiFi is a favorite hunting ground for hackers and other cybercriminals looking to intercept data, steal passwords, or even set up fake hotspots that lure in unsuspecting users. To eliminate this risk it is best to avoid public WiFi entirely – but if absolutely necessary there are six important tips you need to know to use it safely.
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
By using a VPN provider you’ll essentially encrypt everything that you send and receive over the internet, and send it via a secure tunnel. That means the data will be scrambled and protected, so even if cybercriminals are able to intercept it they won’t be able to decode it.
The one caveat to all this is that you need to use a reputable, high quality VPN. The quality of cheap or free VPNs is often suspect, and may be slow, have weak security, or could even log and sell your data. Additionally, be aware that VPNs do not protect against all threats such as phishing attempts, malware and viruses, or weak passwords.
Do Not Access Sensitive Accounts
To be extra safe, make it a point to never access any sensitive accounts while on public WiFi. Checking maps, streaming videos, reading news or other types of low-risk browsing is fine – but don’t access online banking, work portals, cloud drives with important data, social media accounts, or any other logins that may contain sensitive information that could be misused.
Instead of using public WiFi, use mobile data to access sensitive accounts when you’re out and about. In the long run it’ll be a lot safer, and reduce the risk of those accounts being compromised.
Check Websites Use HTTPS
Get into the habit of double-checking that any URLs you visit start with HTTPS and not just HTTP. The ‘S’ stands for secure, and means that the website encrypts your data – making it safer, especially when you’re on public WiFi.
On some browsers the HTTPS may not be visible, but there’ll be a lock symbol in its place. If you want you can also enable a ‘HTTPS only’ mode on Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge that will only allow connections to websites that use HTTPS.
As a rule, never enter passwords or any other sensitive information on websites that do not use HTTPS.
Turn Off Auto-Connect and Forget Networks
Notice how your devices automatically reconnect to networks they’ve connected to in the past? While this may seem convenient at normal times, it is a big risk on public WiFi – especially if hackers set up a fake network that uses the same name as a trusted one and trick your device into automatically connecting to it.
Turn off all auto-connect options for public WiFi networks. To be safe, also choose to ‘forget’ the network after you’re done using it to be certain that your device doesn’t try to connect to it the next time round.
Enable 2-Factor Authentication (2FA)
2FA won’t stop hackers from stealing your passwords, but will add an extra layer of security in case they do. Most 2FA systems nowadays require an additional code sent to your phone, push-notification confirmation in an app, or a hardware security key.
If you enable 2FA on all critical accounts, hackers will need both your password as well as your device to access your account – which is far less likely to happen. In other words, even if the worst happens when you’re using public WiFi, its impact will be lessened.
Update Software and Security Tools
Assuming you connect to public WiFi regularly, keep any software and security tools updated. These updates often fix new security vulnerabilities and exploits, or improve the detection for new types of viruses and malware.
It is especially important to update your operating system, browser, antivirus and anti-malware, as well as firewall and other security apps. To make it more convenient, check if there’s an auto-update option available.
Final Words: Better Safe than Sorry
Always remember that while public WiFi is convenient, it is not built with privacy or security in mind. Because of that it is up to you to take measures to protect yourself each and every time you use it. The steps listed above will help you to do just that, and by spending a minute or two – you can ensure that your use of public WiFi doesn’t end up exposing you to additional risks.
