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You’ve probably heard already that public WiFi isn’t that safe. However, we still tend to use it because of its convenience. We use public WiFi everywhere, from hotels abroad to cafes in our own cities. And it is indeed a handy tool as it allows you to comfortably surf the net without any cost. Sadly, the downside of public WiFi is pretty harmful. This is how hackers can steal our data without much effort.
Since it’s often impossible to avoid Public WiFi even knowing the risks, we’ve outlined some tips on keeping away from vicious cybercriminals’ hands.
The Dangers of Public WiFi
If you want to defeat an enemy, you need to know his tactical steps. Here are some of the most popular ways to hack into your phone or laptop through public WiFi.
Session Hijacking
Session hijacking is a method when a hacker is able to scan your data off your device and create an exact replica. After doing this, they can pretend to be you and take control of your browsing session. That means that they can do whatever they want with your accounts.
Malware-infected Networks
Another method hackers use is when they infect networks with various types of malware. When we connect to such a network, malware spreads through the connected devices, thus leaving it vulnerable. A hacker now takes the infected device with malware in control, which is likely to use your personal account information and steal your money.
Man-in-the-middle Attacks
Man-in-the-middle attacks work in a way when a hacker stands in the middle of your connection and public WiFi. By doing this, a hacker can monitor your online activity. They can also see the passwords you type in and other sensitive information, such as banks credentials and others.
Evil twin Attacks
An evil twin attack occurs when a hacker’s fake WiFi network seems trustable and legit. For example, if you see several different WiFi networks in a cafe, the chances that one of them is a fake network are high. If you connect to a fake WiFi, once again, a hacker can see all of your activity and sensitive information.
How to Protect Yourself From These Threats?
As you know how exactly hackers can break into your devices, now it’s time to create a plan on how to stop them. Even though it doesn’t necessarily protect you completely, it will definitely make you less vulnerable to such attacks.
Use a VPN
First and foremost, you should always keep your VPN connection in use. VPNs, also known as virtual private networks, work hard to keep your data encrypted; thus, not allowing hackers to spy on your devices. With a VPN, you can ensure that your browsing history remains private. However, keep in mind that you should do your own research before purchasing a VPN. There are plenty of them, but not all of them are good. If you want to read more about it, search for some reviews (https://nordvpn.com/no/review/).
Avoid Pop-ups
As we’ve mentioned above, sometimes a WiFi network can be infected with malware, which can spread to your connected devices. Commonly, such malware acts as pop-ups. Make sure that you don’t click on any random pop-ups or even links. That will keep your device as safe as it can be.
Keep Your Password Safe With a Password Manager
A password manager is a digital space that is encrypted and keeps all of your passwords private and safe. As the manager is encrypted, hackers cannot break into them.
Enable Two-factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is one of the most effective tools to protect your devices. It adds an extra layer of security to all of your accounts. Even if hackers somehow find out your passwords, they still won’t be able to log into your accounts, as they require two-factor authentication. Even more, this method allows you to always know about any possible break-ins, as it instantly alerts you via email or message.
Use Your Mobile Data Whenever Possible
Even though it causes some inconvenience, it is the most reliable way to keep all your devices safe. The math is simple; if you do not use public WiFi or Internet connections at all, hackers won’t even be able to try to break into your devices. So, if you have a chance to use your own mobile data, always go for it.
