The Dos, Don’ts and Safety Risks of Public Wi-fi

In the age of connectivity

finding free public wi-fi is like returning to the days of being a child set loose in a candy shop: as we hurriedly connect to the network, a wave of excitement comes over us, knowing that we’ve hit the gold mine of technology. Unfortunately, even though it saves our hard-earned cellular data and allows us to get out of the office to do our work, public wi-fi comes with a set of risks to all users on the open network, especially if those users don’t take steps (hint: like using HotBot VPN) to protect themselves. Here’s how your data and devices can be attacked over open wi-fi:

Rogue Network Attacks

Hackers know that data is easy to steal over an open wi-fi network. However, it’s even easier to steal if the hacker runs the network itself. That’s why open wi-fi should always be treated with caution and vetted before a connection is established. It’s all too easy for a hacker to entice you to connect to their “Free Wi-Fi,” leaving your precious data vulnerable to their whims.

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

One of the most common attacks committed over public wi-fi is a man-in-the-middle, or MitM, attack. MitM attacks are a form of online eavesdropping where a hacker is able to position themselves in a network in such a way that they’re able to see all the data sent between a computer and a destination (such as a website). The connection that was once private is now visible to any hacker carrying out a man-in-the-middle attack.

Malware Distribution

There’s always the risk that an attacker can slip malware onto your devices without your knowledge, especially if your software is outdated. One of the best ways for a hacker to do this is to take advantage of devices connected to unprotected wi-fi networks. In addition to impacting your privacy, the more infected devices connect to the same open network, the faster the malware may be capable of spreading.

Snooping and Sniffing

Snooping and sniffing is a form of online attack that allows a hacker to see every activity a person does over an open wi-fi network. Through this form of snooping, hackers can collect things such as private messages and emails, login information, and financial details. They may even be able to use a snooping and sniffing attack to hijack your accounts.

Although there are several risks when it comes to using public wi-fi

everything good in life is worth a little bit of risk, be it tech, love, or more carbs for dinner. Thankfully, to every problem, there is a solution. In the case of public wi-fi, there are a few simple dos and don’ts that every user can follow to protect themselves:

Don't allow your devices to auto-connect to wi-fi networks

Even though this feature is convenient, it reduces the control you have over the networks your device interacts with.
Don't leave wi-fi on when you’re not using it

The easiest way to prevent hackers from accessing your data over wi-fi is to remove the wi-fi altogether.
Don't use public wi-fi

Unless it’s an emergency, always use your cellular data instead of public w-fi networks. Sure, it may cost you a few bucks every month, but that’s peanuts when compared to the damage that could be caused by your data being stolen over public wi-fi.
Don't access websites that contain sensitive personal information

There’s only so much a hacker can learn from you when you Google recipes for dinner. However, the amount of valuable information at risk increases significantly when you access websites, such as banking or healthcare sites, that contain sensitive information about you.

Do disable file sharing

Many file-sharing settings open your device up to unnecessary risks from other users. Disabling the setting helps keep you protected.
Do visit sites with HTTPS encryption

Every time you connect to a website, you should make sure it uses safe HTTPS encryption, whether you visit the site on public or private wi-fi.
Do use HotBot VPN

A good VPN service will encrypt your online session and keep you and your data protected from prying eyes. While you could use any reputable VPN, why not give HotBot VPN a try?