Public WiFi

How to Safely Use Public Wi-Fi?

Public Wi-Fi is everywhere—coffee shops, airports, even parks. While it’s convenient, hackers have a playground here too.
Did you know? 40% of public Wi-Fi networks have no encryption, making it easy for snoops to steal your data.

I learned this the hard way when I once logged into my bank account at an airport… and an hour later I got a fraud alert. Oops

But don’t worry! You don’t have to swear off free Wi-Fi forever. Just follow these “3 simple security rules” to browse safely.


Always use a VPN

Internet traffic is encrypted by “VPN (virtual private network),” which renders it unreadable to hackers. See your data as a secret tunnel.

Turn it on before connecting to any public network—yes, including that “trusted” cafe Wi-Fi.

Without a VPN, someone on the same network may view your passwords, emails, even what you are viewing. Funny, right?)

Avoid logging into sensitive accounts

Use mobile data instead if you must check “your bank or work email”.

Public Wi-Fi is not the forum for:
Online banking
Entering credit card data
Accessing private work files

Everywhere you cannot avoid it, “enable two-factor authentication (2FA)”. Hackers can’t thus enter even if your password is stolen.

When you’re finished, forget the network

Your phone prefers to automatically join to “well-known” Wi-Fi networks. Using the same name (“Starbucks_WiFi_Free” vs. “Starbucks_WiFi”), hackers create phoney hotspots.

Under Wi-Fi settings, turn off auto-connect.
Manually “forget” the network after use to stop your phone from rebumping it later.

Pro Tip: Should a network request “too much personal information”—such as your phone number or address—it may be a hoax. Peak.

Final Tip: Use your own hotspot in doubt
Though slower than public Wi-Fi, most phones let you build a “personal hotspot”—that is, significantly more security.

By following these guidelines, you will be shopping peace of mind free. Go appreciate that pricey airport coffee right now.

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