Public Wi-Fi networks are a very useful tool if we do not have an excessive amount of data or we are even on vacation somewhere and we do not want to end up disconnected due to the massive use of the data rate. But if we are not careful, we may be exposing all that sensitive data. What are the risks of this type of connectivity? What precautions should we follow?
Nothing to connect automatically
Setting automatic connection mode when open Wi-Fi networks are detected is a major security risk . The automatic connection prevents us from knowing when the public Wi-Fi network is connected and in use, opening the door to hackers and scammers wherever you go. We must verify that our device is configured in such a way that automatic connections remain disabled.
Beware of fake access points
Fake routers are designed to look legitimate, but they are controlled by hackers. With this popular method, called attack Man in the Middle (man-in-the-middle), the invader tries to come between us and our personal information stored in a bank website or in an email. To avoid such incidents, if you don’t know who the network belongs to or who manages it, just don’t use it. Wherever you are, check with the owner of the establishment where you are the name of the network before connecting to it.
Avoid checking your bank account
For the same reasons why it is not desirable for us to make online purchases on a public Wi-Fi, you should avoid consulting any web or financial application while you are on a public Wi-Fi network. Of course, sometimes we have to verify our bank accounts while we are traveling or at work, but if you find yourself in one of these situations, you can always use the data of the phone or the 4G network to connect to the Internet and do the relevant operations. . While mobile networks are not completely secure, they are more difficult to hack than Wi-Fi. You should also set up additional layers of security for any bank account. Two-factor authentication, for example, makes it even more difficult for thieves to access information, and all we have to do is verify a text message or an ID app for a custom code.
Do not enter social networks or email
Social media has long been – and continues to be – one of the most widely used means of keeping in touch with friends and family. For this reason, it is important to take care as much as possible of the information that, day and day, we place within them. In the event that we are forced to connect to a public WiFi to consult them or upload content, the ideal is that we disconnect when we finish and change the passwords of the platforms used. Likewise, in the case of using email, it is recommended not to use important accounts, such as work, in which relevant information appears. In this case, the safest thing is to create a new user account to send the necessary messages.
Use secure websites or a VPN service
In general, it is best to access secure web pages ( those that start with https instead of http in the address ). This “s” indicates that the website uses a secure encryption web protocol to protect the confidentiality of online activities or transactions. A virtual private network (VPN) also offers an encrypted and secure connection that can help us protect ourselves from eavesdropping even when we are on a public Wi-Fi network.
All precautions are little and remember that once they get in, it is very difficult to go back. There is no button to restore everything to the way it was before, so the smart thing to do is do everything you can to protect yourself.
