Danger Of Free Wifi

The Danger Of Free Wi-Fi

What is public Wi-Fi?

Public Wi-Fi can be found in popular public place like airports coffee shops. malls, restaurants, and hotels and it allows you to access the Intermet for free. These hotspots" are so widespread and common that people frequently connect to them without thinking twice.

Although it sounds harmless to log on and check your social media account or browse some news articles everyday activities that require a login like reading e-mail or checking your bank account could be risky business on public Wi-Fi

What are the risks?

The problem with public Wi-Fi is that there area tremendous number of risks that go along with these networks While business owners may believe they're providing a valuable service to their customers.

chances are the security on these networks is lax or nonexistent.

1. Man-in-the-Middle attacks

One of the most common threats on these networks is called a Man-in-the-Middle (MitMD attack Essentially. a MitM attack is a form of eavesdropping When a computer makes a connection to the Internet. data is sent from point A (computer) to point B Cservice/website), and vulnerabilities can allow an attacker to get In between these transmissions and read" them. So what you thought was private no longer is

2.Unencrypted networks

Encryption means that the information that is sent between your computer and the wireless router are in the form of a "secret code so that it cannot be read by anyone who doesn't have the key to decipher the code

Most routers are shipped from the factory with encryption turned off by default, and it must be turned on when the network is set up. If an IT professional sets up the network, then chances are good that encryption has been enabled However, there is no surefire way to tell if this has happened

3.Malware distribution

There are also ways that attackers can slip malware onto your computer without you even knowing A software vulnerability is a security hole or weakness found in an operating system or software program

Hackers can exploit this weakness by writing code to target  specific vulnerability. and then inject the malware onto your device

4.Snooping and sniffing

Wi-Fi snooping and sniffing is what it sounds like. Cybercriminals can buy special software kits and even devices to help assist them with eavesdropping on WI-Fl signals

This technique can allow the attackers to access everything that you are doing online- from vlewing whole webpages you have visited (including any nformatlon you may have filled out while visiting that webpage) to being able to capture your login credentials, and even hijack your accounts

5.Malicious hotspots

These rogue access points" trick victims into connecting to what they think is a legitimate network because the name sounds reputable. Say you're staying at the Goodnyght Inn and want to connect to the hotel's Wi-FL

You may think you're selecting the correct one when you click on GoodNyte Inn." but you haven't. Instead. you've just connected to a rogue hotspot set up by cybercriminals who can now view your sensitive information

How to stay safe on public Wi-Fi

DON'T

Allow your Wi-Fi to auto-connect to network Log into any account via an app that contains sensitive  information. Go to the website instead and verify it uses HTTPS before logging in Leave your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on if you are not using them Access websites that hold your sensitive information, such as such as financial or healthcare accounts Log onto a network that isn't password protected 

DO 

Disable file sharing Only visit sites using HTTPS

Log out of accounts when done using them

Use a VPN,. to make sure your public Wi-Fi connections are made private.