If you connect to a
Wi-Fi network and send information through websites or mobile apps, it might be
accessed by someone else. Some shops will have a firewall in their
wireless routers to protect you, but it doesn’t mean that you are protected
from other people connected to the same network. If you are not careful about
using free public Wi-Fi, strangers can snoop your data and information like
email, social network conversations and also the valuable bank information
also.
If you want to
protect your data and keep your information secure, then follow these tips to
have secure web surfing over public free Wi-Fi hotspots……
Tips
to Stay safe on Free Public Wi-Fi Hotspot:
1.
LOOK YOUR SURROUNDINGS:
All threats in this
Digital world are not always technical threats. Stealing of information
sometimes may occur in silly ways. When you are surfing on net while sitting in
a public place like Hotels, busy airport lounge a hacker or snoop could be
looking over your shoulder hoping that you may reveal your credit card number,
username or password.
It may be some
times lead to serious consequences. So you must carefully verify your
surroundings to check no person is looking over your shoulder for your
information.
2.
TURN OFF SHARING:
In your home all
devices are connected to single network where you will share files, printers,
documents between one another in the same network or you will be allowed to
remote login from other computers in that network. It is ok if you are in your
own private network. But, when you are connected to public Wi-Fi hotspot there
is chance, that others who are connected to that same network can hack into
your device and access your data.
So you must conform
once before connecting to public networks, that the sharing is disabled in your
device by changing settings. In windows you can change these settings in the
network and Internet settings in control panel.
3.
ENABLE FIREWALL:
Now these days most
operating systems include built-in firewall, which will check and verify
incoming and outgoing connections. Firewall protects your system from others
who are trying to get it into your system. By default firewall will be in
enabled position in every system. But check once whether your system Firewall
is active or inactive. If firewall is turned off mode then make it turn on.
Firewall does not provide complete protection but it warns you about unsecured
connections.
4.
HAVE UPDATED ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE:
Anti-virus gives
your device complete protection from virus. Anti-virus, Anti-Spyware will
protect your system and gives complete protection over internet also. They
inform you when any new suspicious actions occur in your system. Anti-Virus
shows an alert message when known and dangerous malware and viruses are loaded
into your PC and there are any modifications to registry files. So, make sure
that your Anti-Virus is up-to date while you are accessing net over public
Wi-Fi hotspot.
5. BE
SURE ABOUT NETWORK NAME:
When you enter any
hotels, airports, shopping malls there is chance of having fake public Wi-Fi
hotspots, which are provided by some people with bad intention and that right
skills to hack into your PC. Connecting to those fake Wi-Fi networks could
place your device into the hands of evil people. If you want to connect to a
public Wi-Fi network in any restaurants or something, confirm once with the
employees working there about the official Wi-Fi network because they would
know that correctly. This is important to check for the official Wi-Fi network
of that public place.
6.
HAVE A VPN:
VPN refers to
“Virtual Private Network”. VPN enables computer to send and receive data across
public networks by extending a private network across public network. VPN
provide security by using tunneling protocols and encryption. VPN routes all
your activities through a separate private network. Both paid and free VPN
services available, but paid VPN service provides guaranteed security than free
VPN service.
Make sure that you
have set up a VPN in your device before connecting to a public Wi-Fi hotspot
network so that your information is secured.
7.
HTTPS EXTENSIONS AND SSL:
You know that
websites with HTTPS protocol is more secure than websites with HTTP protocol,
because HTTPS websites transfer data with the help of encryption technique
where as HTTP websites transfer plain text which can be easily accessed by
others. For those websites with HTTP protocol, we can make them HTTPS and
transfer encrypted messages with the help of HTTPS extensions and plug-ins
which can be integrated to web browsers.
And also use SSL
(Secure Sockets Layer), which will securely transfer sensitive information like
credit card number, login data and other valuable information by establishing
encryption link between client and server.
Some HTTPS
extensions are: “HTTPS everywhere, Script safe….
Etc.,”
8.
DISABLE AUTOMATIC CONNECT OPTION:
Your smart phone,
laptop and tablets may be set to connect automatically whenever there are any
free public Wi-Fi networks available. This will connect your device to any open
Wi-Fi network without any prior permission from you. But this may lead
your device connecting to unsecure and malicious networks which are
specifically employed for stealing information form users. So, before
going out to any place make sure that automatic connecting to Wi-Fi networks
feature in your device is disabled in order to secure your device from
attacks.
9.
IMPLEMENT TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION:
Many important and
popular websites and services provide you an excellent login option called
“Two-factor Authentication” to login into your account. In this Two Factor
Authentication you need to have password and another piece of information to
login into your account. That piece of information may be code to your mobile
or mail or you receive you code by a call. If anybody has got your password by
tracking your transactions through public Wi-Fi loop hole, they cannot login
into your account without code you receive in your device. So, implement two
factor authentications to your accounts.
10.
STOP ONLINE BANKING AND SHOPPING:
While you are
outside and using public Wi-Fi hotspot for browsing avoid online banking and
online shopping. Although the banking apps use SSL in order to protect your
information from theft. But it is safe for us to wait until you reach your
home, where you can perform your online transactions. If it is an urgent case,
at that time you use your mobile network instead of using free public Wi-Fi
network to stay safe. This will save your money being theft by hacking you bank
accounts.
11.
MAINTAIN UNIQUE PASSWORDS:
Do you maintain
different passwords for different online accounts? It is good to have different
and unique passwords for different online accounts you have. Because if any
malicious person got one of your accounts password, then you can stop him
getting access into other accounts of you. Especially if you have habit of
accessing your accounts through public Wi-Fi networks, It is better to have
unique passwords for different accounts you have. But keep track of all
passwords you own.
For so many reasons
I feel good to use mobile network, because anybody can’t track our information.
So, avoid free public Wi-Fi hotspots as much as possible to stay safe. If I
missed any tips to stay safe on public Wi-Fi networks, please comment below.
Feel free to comment your queries and doubts, I will respond to you as soon as
possible.
