9 Must-Knows For Everyone Connecting to a Free Wi-Fi
If there is one thing that everyone undoubtedly likes, it’s the free stuff. Free Wi-Fi is no exception.
However, public networks are rarely very secure and can pose countless hazards.
If you aren’t careful, you can risk losing all your precious funds from your bank account. You might also get hacked and fall victim to identity theft!
Here a list of essential tips so you can stay safe when using public Wi-Fi.
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#9 Never use Internet banking or enter your card information
If doing online purchases or Internet banking, the best way to protect data theft is by using mobile traffic. A few paid megabytes are all you need and it’s worth the price to keep your finances safe.
#8 Keep Wi-Fi off when not using the Internet
Turn your Wi-Fi on whenever you need it. By keeping it off, you save your battery life and avoid automatic connection to a suspicious network and advertisements.
#7 Use a VPN service
VPN or a Virtual Private Network will allow you to stay anonymous while browsing the Internet. Whenever you visit a website, they will only see the IP address provided by the VPN, not your original IP. While good VPN services are mostly paid, the price is very low and affordable. While there are free services, they tend to slow down your connection.
#6 Don’t let your devices remember networks
It’s a good idea to make your device forget public networks once you are done using them. Unless you set it up to “forget”, devices will automatically connect to any networks previously used. Fraudsters tend to target public networks, creating access points with the same name to steal your private data.
#5 Verify which network you are connecting to
Hackers and fraudsters tend to target popular network spots by using similar names to access and steal data. An authentic network will always require an authorization, but fake ones are free to use. Ask the owner for the proper name and codes before connecting to a network.
#4 Install a good antivirus or Internet security software
Every day, new ways to hack data are being invented—we can’t even keep up with them all. This is where an antivirus software becomes invaluable. They warn you if anyone is trying to hack into your device and protect you from phishing, dubious sites, and risky networks.
#3 Turn on two-stage authentication
Two-stage authentication sends an SMS to your phone. That SMS includes a code that will allow you to connect to a network. Avoid connecting to networks that don’t have multiple authentication stages.
#2 Keep your passwords encrypted
Don’t keep passwords stored on your device as it is very easy for hackers to steal your data. Also, don’t use the same passwords for everything. If you have trouble remembering passwords, use a password manager with strong encryptions.
#1 Check the URL of the websites you visit
Many fake networks will redirect you to lookalike copies of popular websites, except they are collecting your private data. A URL tells you a lot about a website. If you see unknown characters in the web URL, it’s most likely a fake site. Google.com and ɢoogle.com aren’t the same. Use a reliable browser to differentiate the fakes. You can use an extension to stay safe wherever you browse.
However, public networks are rarely very secure and can pose countless hazards.
If you aren’t careful, you can risk losing all your precious funds from your bank account. You might also get hacked and fall victim to identity theft!
Here a list of essential tips so you can stay safe when using public Wi-Fi.
Contents & Quick Navigation [show]
#9 Never use Internet banking or enter your card information
If doing online purchases or Internet banking, the best way to protect data theft is by using mobile traffic. A few paid megabytes are all you need and it’s worth the price to keep your finances safe.
#8 Keep Wi-Fi off when not using the Internet
Turn your Wi-Fi on whenever you need it. By keeping it off, you save your battery life and avoid automatic connection to a suspicious network and advertisements.
#7 Use a VPN service
VPN or a Virtual Private Network will allow you to stay anonymous while browsing the Internet. Whenever you visit a website, they will only see the IP address provided by the VPN, not your original IP. While good VPN services are mostly paid, the price is very low and affordable. While there are free services, they tend to slow down your connection.
#6 Don’t let your devices remember networks
It’s a good idea to make your device forget public networks once you are done using them. Unless you set it up to “forget”, devices will automatically connect to any networks previously used. Fraudsters tend to target public networks, creating access points with the same name to steal your private data.
#5 Verify which network you are connecting to
Hackers and fraudsters tend to target popular network spots by using similar names to access and steal data. An authentic network will always require an authorization, but fake ones are free to use. Ask the owner for the proper name and codes before connecting to a network.
#4 Install a good antivirus or Internet security software
Every day, new ways to hack data are being invented—we can’t even keep up with them all. This is where an antivirus software becomes invaluable. They warn you if anyone is trying to hack into your device and protect you from phishing, dubious sites, and risky networks.
#3 Turn on two-stage authentication
Two-stage authentication sends an SMS to your phone. That SMS includes a code that will allow you to connect to a network. Avoid connecting to networks that don’t have multiple authentication stages.
#2 Keep your passwords encrypted
Don’t keep passwords stored on your device as it is very easy for hackers to steal your data. Also, don’t use the same passwords for everything. If you have trouble remembering passwords, use a password manager with strong encryptions.
#1 Check the URL of the websites you visit
Many fake networks will redirect you to lookalike copies of popular websites, except they are collecting your private data. A URL tells you a lot about a website. If you see unknown characters in the web URL, it’s most likely a fake site. Google.com and ɢoogle.com aren’t the same. Use a reliable browser to differentiate the fakes. You can use an extension to stay safe wherever you browse.
