Many people connect to free Wi-Fi in restaurants or other establishments to access the Internet without paying. Travelers often use the Wi-Fi in airports or railway stations to get online whenever they need. Since free Wi-Fi is available to everyone, its security is often weak. This creates a risk of personal information being stolen. However, you can follow a few tips to stay safe while using free Wi-Fi. Ways to keep WiFi passwords safe
Network validation
When you turn on your phone’s network at an airport or railway station, you will typically see a Wi-Fi network named Free Airport or Free Railway Station. However, this network might not be managed by the airport or station authorities. Cyber criminals often create fake Wi-Fi networks under the names of well-known institutions, including airports and railway stations. Many people mistakenly connect to these networks due to the familiar names and passwords. Therefore, before using a Wi-Fi network in an unfamiliar place, it’s important to verify if it is legitimate. Gather information from the airport or railway station authorities and check their official website to ensure you have the correct Wi-Fi network name and access method.
Caution on sharing personal information
To access a free Wi-Fi network, users usually register with a name or email address. Wi-Fi providers can use this data for various purposes. Additionally, cybercriminals often trick users into logging in with their email or social media accounts, pretending it’s needed for registration. Therefore, it’s safer to avoid using a network that asks for social media account details or personal information during registration.
Delete network after use
People often return to the same place for different needs, so many choose not to delete free Wi-Fi network information from their phones, thinking they’ll use it again. As a result, the phone automatically connects to the Wi-Fi network when in range, creating security risks. To prevent this, select “Forget Network” on your phone after using the Internet and delete the public Wi-Fi details. Additionally, make sure to turn off the automatic connection feature on your phone. Ways to keep WiFi passwords safe
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Using a VPN
Even when using a legitimate Wi-Fi network, its security may not be strong. This problem can be solved by using Virtual Private Network or VPN. This is because the information exchanged through VPN cannot be easily collected by cybercriminals as the information is exchanged in encrypted form.
Is your Wi-Fi router under cyber attack?
Many people use broadband internet at home to access high-speed internet on multiple devices at once. A router is needed to connect smartphones, laptops, and computers, and to stream videos from platforms like YouTube on TV. Although many use antivirus software to protect their devices, they often overlook the router’s security system. Cybersecurity experts warn that weak router security can lead to the theft of sensitive information from internet users.
The internet service company ‘Broadband Genie’ surveyed about 3,000 internet users in the UK to assess router security. The survey revealed that most users don’t change their router’s privacy settings or passwords. Additionally, they fail to update the security system, which increases the risk of cyberattacks on the router.
Most people don’t change their Wi-Fi network names or passwords,” said Oliver Devane, a senior security researcher at McAfee, an antivirus company. “Any device with default settings poses a risk.
Researchers say that hackers exploit firmware bugs and network vulnerabilities to steal data. Consequently, hackers can easily access a Wi-Fi network if the router’s factory settings remain unchanged. To secure the router, the administrator should use a strong password for login. Additionally, regularly updating the router’s firmware and changing the Wi-Fi network name is essential.