Hackers are like pickpockets; they go where there is a crowd to maximize the number of available pockets to pick. Public WiFi is like Disney Land for hackers. There are always plenty of people, many who are unconcerned with internet safety. If you’re always on the go, relying on public WiFi to keep you connected, you need to protect your virtual pockets with a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Using Public Wifi
When you go into a restaurant, the two most common bankable marketing ploys for any business are “Free WiFi and impossible burgers!” We are suckers for free WiFi (and impossible burgers, apparently). Just make sure that you don’t inadvertently become a sucker for hacking schemes. Public WiFi is just that, public. It is not secure. When you are sending data via a public network, there is a much higher risk of that data being intercepted, and your privacy compromised.
Protect your connection with VPN
It’s up to every patron of public WiFi to protect their data. A VPN will keep your connection secure and obscure, making it hard for hackers to gain access to your data. A VPN will obscure your connection, as well as your online activity, so you can securely roam the internet and keep your data private.
Malware and anti-virus
If hackers can’t get to you via a public network, they’ll try another avenue. That includes creating malicious networks and face public WiFi connections. Many people get so excited to see a public network that doesn’t require a password that we forget to consider the risks. A network without a password should send up major red flags. Hackers use fake WiFi connections that look very similar to other networks you trust and recognize to phish for victims. Once you access their WiFi connection, your data may be immediately infected with malware and viruses. Most of the time you won’t know it until it is too late.
Double up on your internet security by having malware and anti-virus programs installed, as well as using a VPN.
Talk to the IT experts at OnePointSync about VPN services, malware, and anti-virus programs to improve your internet security.