Public Wi-Fi is the easiest target for a man-in-the-middle attack. These networks are open to the general public and are not scanned for potential breaches. When a hacker connects to a public network, they can see all the devices that are also sharing it. This gives them the ability to target a specific device and intercept its communications. Once they have penetrated the communications, they are able to steal the victim's information. Through phishing and other social engineering methods, it is now very easy to steal sensitive data .
One of the risks of using a public Wi-Fi network is that data on this type of open connection is often unencrypted, leaving you vulnerable to a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack. What is MITM? It's when a cybercriminal exploits a security flaw in the network to steal data.
Essentially, this gives the hacker to snoop on any information that passes between you and the websites you visit – details about your browsing activities, account logins, and purchase transactions.
Another risk of using public Wi-Fi is that you can connect through a hot router. This is an open hotspot, usually with a name similar to that of a legitimate hotspot, that cybercriminals have set up to lure people into connecting to their network. Once a victim connects to the rogue Wi-Fi hotspot, the hacker can then monitor your internet traffic and use tools to inject malware onto connected devices.
Did you know that 60% of consumers believe that using public Wi-Fi is more dangerous than using a public restroom? However, while the Norton Cybersecurity Insights report revealed that people are aware of the dangers of public Wi-Fi, the research also showed that people are not taking care of security and are careless in their daily lives.
Here are some tips to help you make it harder for cybercriminals to steal your information on public Wi-Fi:
- Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi. If you must use a public Wi-Fi hotspot, also use a VPN to secure your connection.
- Don't connect to password-protected websites that contain sensitive information when using a public Wi-Fi connection – for example, banking and social networking sites or even email.
- Keep your software up to date on all your devices – even your mobile devices – to avoid potential virus or malware infections if you use public Wi-Fi.
Why is a VPN a powerful ally in your security?
A VPN creates a “secure tunnel” where data sent over a Wi-Fi connection is encrypted, making it safe as it travels to and from your device.
