Public Wi-Fi is a most convenient resource and millions of mobile device users gratefully sign on when it is available. Data plans are more costly in the U.S. than they should be and avoiding extra charges motivates users to dip into free service. Not only that, your Skype, Go-To-Meeting, Dropbox, or Twitter app can use local hotspots to obtain internet access even if you do not sign on to unsecured public Wi-Fi.
File sharing and transfers are performed on several apps and that data can be intercepted. Moreover, log-in credentials can be stolen, allowing cyber criminals to fully access your private accounts. When using the internet as your phone service, eavesdropping on conversations can take place through the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP). If you are using a mobile device that belongs to a business, signing on to unsecured Wi-Fi networks gives hackers are able to access the networks of large organizations and do significant, costly and embarrassingly public damage.
Mobile device users are obliged to pay attention to this commonly occurring risk and take steps to protect our valuable data. No one wants to clean up the toxic mess of a data breach, whether it’s malware that infects our data files or compromises of your financial account passwords. Antivirus protections and firewalls are effective methods of cyber defense, but these are useless against hackers that hide on unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
DO:
- Convert all password protected sites, such as your cloud-based email sign-in process, to two-step authentication. For one email address, I receive an automated phone call that asks me to verify that I’m signing in, another sends me a unique code to punch in once I’ve verified via my mobile phone that I’m signing into the email system.
- Use a VPN, virtual private network, that will encrypt all of your online activities.
- Visit only https and avoid http websites when browsing on public Wi-Fi networks.
- Purchase an unlimited data plan for your mobile phone, which for that device anyway, limits the need for free, unsecured Wi-Fi that makes you vulnerable.
- Consider being especially strict and shutting off the automatic Wi-Fi network search feature from the settings app on your phone or tablet.
DON’T
- Use your credit card to shop online or access your financial institution for automatic deposits, fund transfers, or any other banking business while using free Wi-Fi.
- Connect to the hotspot of an unknown individual when searching for available public Wi-Fi. That hotspot may belong to a cyber criminal who is waiting to do you harm.
- Enable your device to automatically join networks that offer internet access.
Thanks for reading,
Kim
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