Public wi-fi, in the modern era, is fairly ubiquitous. It’s a convenience offered by just about every public-facing business, from gyms to bars to cafes. You might also find it offered by public services like trains and libraries.
But taking advantage of public wi-fi in a way that’s safe and secure often means taking a few simple precautions. Let’s take a look at a few of the more important ones.
Understand the Risks of Public Wi‑Fi
Open networks are risky precisely because they are open. A person with whom you’re sharing a network might easily gain access to your machine, by posing as part of the router and then intercepting requests you intended to send out to the internet.
In some cases, a malicious person might even set up a network of their own, in the hope that other users might unknowingly log in.
Avoid Logging Into Sensitive Accounts on Open Networks
The less often you send sensitive data, the less likely it is that the data will be compromised. Try to avoid using banks, work-related email accounts, or social media while you’re connected.
Keep Your Devices Updated Before Connecting
Hackers will often leverage vulnerabilities in a piece of software in order to gain access to your machine. The best way to prevent this is to regularly download and install the latest version of a given piece of software. This will ensure that those vulnerabilities have been taken care of. Operating Systems, browsers, and security applications are particularly important – but setting up automatic updates for everything can’t hurt.
Turn Off Auto‑Connect Settings
Sometimes, by default, devices will join any network that’s available. In other instances, they’ll connect whenever the network is familiar. Neither of these is satisfactory if we want maximum security.
Look for Encrypted Websites and Apps
Encryption is a simple, powerful way to ensure that the data you send will be unintelligible to any person who intercepts it. Make sure that, when you’re using a browser, you’re connecting via HTTPS. Encrypted messaging tools, like WhatsApp, should also be considered a default.
Use Privacy Tools to Protect Your Connection
Specific privacy tools are also worth installing. For example, you might use a VPN to create an encrypted tunnel to the site you’re connecting to. A free VPN for Windows, if you’ve got your laptop with you, can often be a game-changer.
Enable Firewalls and Disable File Sharing
Your operating system will come with a number of special settings and services that deserve closer scrutiny. You might, for example, look at your firewall, and see whether it can be a little more discriminating. Disabling automatic file-sharing is also essential.
Consider Switching to Mobile Data When Needed
If the task you’re performing is especially sensitive, then you might wonder whether connecting via wi-fi is really appropriate. Often, you can do the same job with your cellular network.
What to Do If You Suspect a Security Breach
If you believe that you’ve been targeted, then don’t leave anything to chance. Make sure that affected passwords are changed, and that you consult the relevant service to check recent activity on your account. It’s also worth learning the warning signs. If you’re getting emails warning you about sign-in attempts from new IPs, then it’s reasonable to assume the worst – but beware of phishing attempts that suggest urgent action is required.
The convenience of a public wi-fi network needn’t come at the expense of security. With the help of the measures we’ve discussed, you’ll be able to log on from anywhere, without jeopardising your digital life!