With a growing dependence upon the Internet, Americans are increasingly in search of wireless connectivity. From sunrise to sunset, people in all walks of life spend their time using the Web for work, play, social interaction, and everything in between. As a result of this insatiable online appetite, people are taking advantage of free Wi-Fi signals wherever possible.
A family may not want to pay for its own Wi-Fi service, so the next best bet could be resorting to “grabbing” a neighbor’s Wi-Fi connection. The same often goes for public places. If a businessman doesn’t have a strong signal and needs to send an email, he might connect to a stranger’s Wi-Fi hotspot if it isn’t password-protected. Is this good? Bad? Read on to find out the pros and cons of this steadily rising practice:
Be safe, not sorry
So what is the problem with using free Wi-Fi access through Internet providers when it’s available? Put simply, every time you enter any sort of data online, the security of the information is at stake. Traffic routed through the Web can be very easily be intercepted, and the uptick in mobile usage only amplifies this level of vulnerability. There are a host of different attack vectors used (honey pot, MiTM, phishing, and more), but all you need to know is that you and your information are not invincible.
Most free Wi-Fi signals are, by nature, not secure. Even those that may appear to be protected (i.e. through password-locked access) are often not encrypted, writes AOL's Digital Matters. If you’re handling your banking activity while connected to a borrowed Wi-Fi network, for example, all of that data becomes an easy target for hackers. With such highly sensitive information, the gamble on quick access is just not worth the possible risk.
Also, keep in mind that hackers are getting more and more creative. You may think you’re tapping into a secure hotel network, for instance, but it could be a dummy Wi-Fi setup. This sort of scam is becoming more common, according to NY Daily News, so it would serve you well to be on guard and verify any free networks you intend to use with someone who actually works at the hotel, coffee shop, etc.
Improve what you have
If you have an issue with your current home or office Wi-Fi capabilities and it’s driving you to borrow free access, there are some simple actions you can take to ramp up your signal and keep yourself protected. Routers work optimally when they are separate from any physical obstructions like bricks or cement, and they should be placed in a central area so that the signal can deliver maximum reach. There are also options like repeaters and range extenders that can give more power to your Wi-Fi, writes Mashable. Whatever route you end up choosing, at least try to improve what you have before letting your Wi-Fi eyes wander to the next free connection you stumble upon.
You may like it hot
A great option for someone who is constantly on the go, but understands the risks of hijacking free Wi-Fi connections, is to get a phone enabled with a Wi-Fi hotspot. By tethering your phone’s signal to your laptop or tablet, you can still get the accessibility you want, without sacrificing security. Remember to always keep your firewall running, notes tech site Technology Digital, and be vigilant about taking any precautions that are available to you.
The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) recommends that individuals go even a step further beyond hotspots, to using personal VPNs for the greatest level of reliability and security. A recent study by the ITRC showed that 79 percent of survey participants understand the dangers of using free Wi-Fi connections, but only a mere 27 percent of those in the study are actually using a virtual private network (VPN) . Whether you prefer to invest in your own ironclad Wi-Fi setup, rely upon a mobile hotspot, or utilize a personal VPN, what matters most is that you avoid free Wi-Fi connections at all costs.
If you do, however, find yourself in need of using a public, free Wi-Fi connection, here are a few tips to help you keep your information private and your virtual life secure:
- Turn off the file sharing setting in your control panel.
- Make sure your firewall is enabled.
- Double check that the websites you visit display the lock image next to their URLs, and use HTTPS or SSL.
- Unless it’s an absolute necessity and you knkow the network is completely secure, don’t buy anything online or access any of your financial sites.
As with most pieces of advice about tech security, the first step is awareness. Now that you know the dangers of logging into free public Wi-Fi, you can use your judgment on how to better equip yourself for a long future of online surfing and zero data compromise.
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