Staying Safe Using Public Wi-Fi

Threat Models and Public Wi-Fi

Here’s a quick lesson in threat assessment: before you do anything that could be even remotely dangerous or risky, it would be a good idea to figure out the threat models you will be facing.

If you’re living in a country with an oppressive political system, the threat model would be the government eavesdropping on you. They might be working with your ISP, and they might look for sensitive data they could use to blackmail, threaten, or jail you.

Slightly less sinister is the threat model you face every time when visiting a website — the website owner might try to follow you online. They might try to figure out your location and gather information about your identity. It doesn’t matter that they’re doing it to serve you ads — if you view it as an invasion of privacy, it’s a threat.

On public Wi-Fi, the threat you’re most likely to face is the lone hacker going after your personal information, login credentials, or digital properties such as image and video files. Doesn’t it look as bad as an oppressive government? It’s not, but if someone gets enough info to steal your identity, they can cause damage to your life measuring in thousands of dollars and months spent trying to fix it.

What Kinds of Attacks Loom on Public Wi-Fi?

Let’s say you know there’s a hacker trying to do some harm to you, and they’re waiting at your favorite coffee spot. What kind of attacks can they perform? Well, they have plenty of options:

The Man-in-the-Middle attack

One of the most common threats on public Wi-Fi is a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack. This is where a hacker intercepts the communication between your device and the Wi-Fi network. They can then see all the information you’re sending and receiving, including any sensitive data like passwords or credit card numbers.

Unencrypted Wi-Fi and Snooping

Snooping is another common threat on public Wi-Fi. This is when a hacker uses software to intercept your internet traffic and monitor your online activity. They can see which websites you’re visiting and what you’re doing online, which can be a serious invasion of your privacy.

Fake, malicious hotspots

Hackers can create a public network that looks the same as a network you’d trust. But it’s not — it’s a rogue hotspot that will trick you (or your device) to connect to gain access to your information.

That’s without mentioning that hackers might use public Wi-Fi to push malware, causing issues ranging from ransom attacks to identity theft and property destruction. As far as unsafe behavior goes, it looks like using public Wi-Fi should be near the top of the list.

How to Stay Safe Using Public Wi-Fi?

So, should you never again connect to public Wi-Fi? That would be best, although not the most plausible scenario. At least some of the people who use public Wi-Fi do it out of a genuine need to connect. If you’re one of them, removing this type of internet access from your palette of options might put you in a disadvantageous position.

What you need, in that case, is a way to continue using public Wi-Fi while staying safe. The good news is that there’s plenty you can do to improve your digital safety when dealing with public Wi-Fi networks. Here’s a five-point plan to help you stay safe:

Start Using a VPN

The best way to stay safe on public Wi-Fi is to use a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN encrypts all of your internet traffic and routes it through a secure server, making it much harder for hackers to intercept your data.  Not even your ISP can see what you’re doing

This encryption makes it significantly more difficult to act as a man in the middle while you’re browsing the internet.

Only Connect via SSL

If a VPN protects your access point to a safe tunnel, an SSL connection protects your exit point. It protects the communication between you (or the VPN) and the website you’re visiting, which is an awesome extra layer of security. You can force browsers and websites to only connect via a safe, encrypted connection.

Avoid Sensitive Transactions

Another way to stay safe on public Wi-Fi is to avoid sensitive transactions. This includes things like online banking, shopping, and accessing sensitive documents. If you need to do any of these things, wait until you’re on a secure Wi-Fi network or use your mobile data instead.

Limit the Vulnerable Data You Use

Even with all the precautions taken, you should get your use of personally identifiable information to the minimum when you’re connected to public Wi-Fi. No passwords, no banking information, no social security or government ID numbers.

Keep Your Device Updated

Keeping your device updated is another key step in staying safe on public Wi-Fi. Make sure you have the latest security updates and patches installed on your device. This can help prevent hackers from exploiting any vulnerabilities in your device’s software.

Turn Off Auto-Connect

Don’t let your devices connect automatically to public networks. Rogue networks can easily mimic the public networks you usually connect to. You could have someone rummaging through your data without you even knowing you’ve connected to a public network.

Don't File-Share

It shouldn’t be too difficult to turn file-sharing off when you’re connected to a public network. This is a feature you should enable only when on a trusted private or work network. So, say “no” to file-sharing, but say “yes” to firewalls and limited app connectivity.

We’ve all been in the position when using public Wi-Fi looked appealing to us. Not everyone can afford enough data on their cell plan. Sometimes, it’s the signal coverage that’s failing us. Either way, it’s great that we can occasionally connect to the internet for free. Or at least it’s great if we’re capable of protecting ourselves from the many dangers these networks can pose. One bad connection can potentially ruin your life for years to come, and there are very few things that are worthy of all that trouble. Remember that it’s better to be safe than to have something to regret and do what you can to make yourself a tough target for the hackers.

Common Misconceptions About Public Wi-Fi Security

There are some common misconceptions about public Wi-Fi security that you should be aware of.  Here are a few:

• Only certain devices are at risk
  All devices are at risk when using public Wi-Fi, including Apple devices. Hackers can target any device that’s connected to the network, regardless of the type of device.
• Anti-Virus Software is enough
  While antivirus software is important, it’s not enough to protect your device on public Wi-Fi. You need to take additional steps, such as using a VPN, to protect your personal information.

What to Do if You've Been Hacked on Public Wi-Fi

If you think you’ve been hacked on public Wi-Fi, there are several steps you should take immediately. Here are a few:

• Disconnect from the Wi-Fi Network
  The first thing you should do is disconnect from the Wi-Fi network. This can help prevent the hacker from accessing any more of your personal information or restrict your device.
• Change your Passwords
  Change your passwords for any accounts that you accessed while on the public Wi-Fi network. Better to create a new password and avoid the common password you usually use.  This can help prevent hackers from accessing your accounts in the future.
• Monitor Your Accounts
  Keep a close eye on your accounts for any suspicious activity. If you see anything unusual, report it immediately.

Conclusion

Public Wi-Fi is a convenient way to stay connected while on-the-go, but it can also be a risky way to use the internet. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this guide, you can protect your personal information and stay safe while using public Wi-Fi.

Using a VPN tops the list, avoiding sensitive transactions, and keeping your device as up to date as possible.  So, the next time you’re on public Wi-Fi, make sure you’re taking the necessary precautions to keep your personal information and device safe.