THE RISKS OF AND WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF ON PUBLIC WIFI

MOBILE APPS AREN'T AS SECURE

As most people access websites on a laptop or desktop,

website operators have worked on integrating encryption

and other protections in them first. Thus, mobile apps may

not have the same amount of protections.

NEVER USE A MOBILE APP FOR SENSITIVE

TRANSACTIONS ON A PUBLIC WIFI NETWORK

Since mobile apps aren’t as secure as webpages, if you have

to perform sensitive operations (like checking your bank

account) while out in public, either use your phone’s data

connection or open a browser and use the company’s

mobile website

USING PUBLIC WIFI TO BUY ANYTHING OR

MANAGE YOUR FINANCES IS RISKY

Finances – whether your credit card details when purchasing

from Amazon or your bank login details when checking your

accounts – are at huge risk on any public WiFi network.

Regardless of your own security programs, avoid

transmitting such sensitive date when on public WiFi.

USE NETWORKS WITH STRONG ENCRYPTION METHODS

WEP and WPA are two of the most common encryption

techniques WiFi networks will use. If you’re dealing with

really sensitive data, look for WPA2 which is one of

the strongest encryption techniques on the market.

AUTOMATICALLY CONNECTING TO OPEN

PUBLIC NETWORKS IS DANGEROUS

Some smartphones have the option to automatically connect

to open WiFi networks, reducing your data plan usage. But it’s

pretty dangerous. You could walk by a network and your

phone automatically connects without you even knowing,

opening your data up to theft.

USE A VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your data when you’re

connect to the internet. Encrypting – scrambling your

information into code – makes it almost impossible for

your standard thief to access your data as it shrouds

your information from their view.

VPN'S OTHER ADVANTAGE

Beyond keeping you safer while on public WiFi networks,

using a VPN means you can also access any websites which

the website restricts or blocks.

DODGY WIFI PROVIDERS

A big danger of using a public WiFi network is the shady

WiFi provider. Though most big chains will be more reputable

providers, if you don’t trust the owner – don’t use it. Just as

thieves can pull your bank card details from an ATM if they

insert a special reader, dodgy WiFi providers can steal

your information and sell it on later.

CUTTING CORNERS PUTS YOU AT RISK

Many free WiFi networks – even at your favourite coffee shop –

don’t use the best (or anywhere near) encryption technology

in an effort to cut costs. That means your data is vulnerable

and you need to take security into your own hands.