Dangers of public Wi-Fi: How to use open networks safely

Why using public Wi-Fi connections may be dangerous?

Lots of us use free public Wi-Fi every day. Often, we’re in situations where public Wi-Fi is the only option if we need to get online quickly.  But these connections aren’t always what they seem. Public Wi-Fi hotspots are easy targets for hackers and cybercriminals who can use them to invade your privacy and steal your data.

Using public Wi-Fi connections can be dangerous because hackers can intercept the information you transmit via an unprotected connection.

This gives them the opportunity to steal your data. Here’s why you’re vulnerable to data breaches when you use public Wi-Fi hotspots:

• No or weak password protection to connect to the network, meaning that anyone can use the hotspot—after all, the more people who use it, the higher the chance that someone is a hacker
• Misconfigured Wi-Fi routers or outdated router software, meaning that there might not be the security settings you’re used to at home
• Users who don’t take good security precautions—maybe you reuse passwords or do your online banking when you’re using a free Wi-Fi hotspot

If you use public Wi-Fi connections, you’re not alone.

A majority of users report that they log in to personal emails or social media accounts on public Wi-Fi networks—and a quarter say that they’ve done online banking or accessed other financial information.

But the dangers of using public Wi-Fi are very real. Let’s look at what you risk by connecting to a free public Wi-Fi network.

Risks of using public Wi-Fi

The main dangers of unsecured Wi-Fi are data breaches and malware infections.

Using public Wi-Fi safely is essential to avoid a data breach, which happens when hackers illegally access private information.

Data breaches can affect any kind of information you store on your device. If you don’t know how to safely use public Wi-Fi, cybercriminals can steal your photos, videos, documents, and contacts among others.  

Cybercriminals can also use public Wi-Fi hotspots to steal people’s credit card information and commit financial fraud. If they gather enough information about you, hackers can apply for loans, withdraw money, and make purchases in your name—and with your money.  

Using public Wi-Fi also makes you an easy target for browser hijackers—who distribute malware to unsuspecting web surfers. Maybe you’re just opening a news website when a pop-up ad appears on the screen. Accidentally clicking on it can install malware onto your device.

If you don’t know how to use public Wi-Fi safely, you might quickly find yourself in trouble. To avoid this, you should always keep your guard up and make sure you’ve got reliable security apps installed on your devices.

Clario Anti Spy can help you here. Whether you use iOS or an Android device, it can help reduce the risk of falling victim to threats. If you’re worried about a data breach, the Data Breach Monitor will scan to see if your email address has been compromised. If your details have been involved in a data breach, you can take action to fix the issue.

Data Breach Monitor will automatically monitor your email addresses 24/7.

How to stay safe with Clario Anti Spy’s data breach monitor:

1. Download Clario Anti Spy and follow the on-screen instructions to sign up. Then open the app and tap Scan under Data Breach Monitor.
2. Check to see if there are any data breaches for your email address. If there are, follow the on-screen instructions to find out more details.
3. If you have multiple email addresses, enter the next one and tap Scan another email.

The simple mechanics behind Wi-Fi sniffing

We’ve talked about the dangers of public Wi-Fi, and I’ve explained that hackers can get into your data when you’re using a secured Wi-Fi hotspot. But how do they do that?

Packet sniffing or eavesdropping is the illegal monitoring of data transmitted between devices.

Hackers use something called a sniffer. This is either hardware or software that intercepts data over the network, and decodes it. Wi-Fi sniffers have lots of legitimate uses too—they can help detect network problems, monitor any misuse of the network, and even help stop attacks if they’re being used correctly.

But, of course, hackers can use Wi-Fi sniffers for malicious purposes too.

Hackers don’t need to be amazing codebreakers to intercept or steal personal data on public Wi-Fi. Just having the right gear is enough. The secret ingredient to every hacker’s success is the unsuspecting and careless user.

Internet users without Wi-Fi hotspot protection risk not only losing critical information but also having their information modified. For example, your business partner might receive your message after it has been altered by cybercriminals to serve their nefarious purposes.

So, now you know about Wi-Fi sniffing, ask yourself: is it safe to use public Wi-Fi?

But sometimes there’s no choice. What should you do if you need to use a public Wi-Fi hotspot? Don’t worry; there are some things you can do to stay alert and leave these cybercriminals empty-handed.

How to stay safe on public Wi-Fi

Fortunately, if you know how to avoid being hacked on public Wi-Fi, you can reduce the dangers.

Here’s what you need to do if you want to minimize public Wi-Fi security risks:

• Use a VPN: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) app will hide your IP address and encrypt the information you send online, meaning that third parties can’t see what you’re doing.
• Turn off Bluetooth and file-sharing: If you have Bluetooth and file-sharing settings turned on, you should disable them when you’re on public networks—or anywhere that you’re around lots of people who might try to send you malicious files.
• Don’t open or send sensitive data: Avoid online banking, shopping, and working remotely when connecting to public Wi-Fi—and don’t use any application that may contain sensitive data. The sad truth is many applications have security flaws, so anything you do within them may be visible to hackers.
• Use an antivirus: Antivirus software won’t save your personal data from interception, but it can protect your device from various malware. This includes the malicious programs hackers secretly send to your phone or laptop on public Wi-Fi.
• Enable firewall: A firewall analyzes the data traffic and protects your device from unauthorized access—so enabling a firewall can save your device from suspicious data. So whenever you connect to public Wi-Fi, don’t forget to turn the protection on.

That’s it. Now, you can browse the web without worrying about public Wi-Fi safety.

Conclusion

So, is it safe to use public Wi-Fi?

We didn’t mean to scare you, and of course, not every public Wi-Fi service leads to you getting hacked. But it’s good to know the dangers and be prepared.

And, of course, if you suspect that you’ve been the victim of a data breach, Clario Anti Spy can help. The app’s Data Breach Monitor can scan databases of password leaks and other data breaches to see if your personal details have been compromised, allowing you to take action and improve your personal safety.