Why can free Wi-Fi be dangerous?

Free Wi-Fi networks are not only convenient, but also useful and are, perhaps, an integral part of modern infrastructure. Today it is becoming easier and easier to find an affordable network and connect to the Internet wherever you are. However, free Wi-Fi is not such an unconditional blessing. Sometimes connecting to a wireless network for free access can lead to negative consequences.

Wireless Internet access

Find a free Wi-Fi network just like never before. Once you start the search, you will probably stumble upon a couple. Most likely, several free networks are near your place of work or residence, in your favorite cafe or park.

Modern entrepreneurs try to provide access to the Internet not only for their employees, but also for customers. Without a Wi-Fi network, it's hard to imagine an airport, railway or bus station. Many museums, shopping centers and city parks are equipped with their own network of open access.

In fact, you can connect to the Internet wherever and whenever you want, but remember that despite the convenience, using an open access network is often unsafe. You risk opening access to personal information, location and files stored on the device you are using.

Personal data are vulnerable

By connecting to a free Wi-Fi network, you often expose your personal data "parade". The data that you send to different sites and applications can easily be vulnerable to hackers. To avoid risk, or at least to complicate the hackers' access to their data, make sure that all your traffic goes according to the SSL protocol.

Large public access points to the Internet are a favorite place for hackers who are hunting for personal data, and all because such networks represent not the slightest resistance to hacking and attacks. If you use public Internet, be careful not to leave important information. Try not to connect to working mailboxes, do not conduct bank transactions, do not pay for products and services with a credit card and do not leave official personal data on the sites. All this can be tolerated.

Hackers can create a phony access point

Anyone, even the most novice hacker can create a fake Wi-Fi network with free access. It is difficult to imagine how many unsuspecting ordinary people are being led to such a bait, because most of us rarely think about how safe the network is, or assess the likelihood of risk. However, it is only necessary to connect to one of such networks, as the danger becomes quite real.

Once connected, your device is in almost full disposition of the hacker. It can easily track all your actions, copy and view your files and data, read SMS, track call history and view Internet traffic. In addition, all the data sent to your favorite applications is in the automatic access of the hacker. Not to mention the possibility of "catching the infection" in the form of a computer virus or other malicious programs.

Encryption

Not only fake access points can be dangerous. Completely legitimate and tested Wi-Fi networks are not always absolutely safe. Most free networks use an SSL protocol that provides maximum data security with encryption. However, there are still a considerable number of networks that do not use any special protection protocols.

Unprotected networks are especially dangerous. Without encryption, your traffic is absolutely open, and everyone can find out which pages you visited, what applications they used, and what passwords they entered. In addition, all users of an unprotected network can distribute malicious programs and viruses without their own knowledge. To avoid risk, use the HTTPS Everywhere plugin, which encrypts all outgoing and incoming data.

View some personal data

Even if you avoid unverified and unprotected networks, you still put some of the data stored on your device and browser history in jeopardy. Almost all large networks provide free Internet, provided you have guaranteed access to some of your data. Just like you allow installed applications to track their location, access the gallery and call log, as well as access to a free Wi-Fi network means informed and voluntary consent to access personal data.

Unfortunately, this permission is not always really informed. Firstly, not all companies openly declare the aims and nature of information collection, and secondly, not all people are ready to carefully read the terms of the agreement. Most often, we just press "connect" without even realizing that by doing this we allow the company to save our traffic history and have access to the location. In fact, such Internet is dangerous and is far from free.

What to do?

If you still need to connect to a wireless network in spite of all its possible dangers, make sure that you are as secure as possible. Make sure that all sites to which you send your personal data are protected by an SSL protocol that is displayed by a small lock in the address bar before the site address.

If you regularly use public wireless networks, it makes sense to create a virtual private network VPN. Make sure that the smartphone does not remember and does not automatically connect to available networks. Also get a habit of regularly changing passwords on all important accounts or install a trusted and quality password manager.