Dangers Of Using Public Wifi

By: Babiker Mohamed Digital Analyst

We’ve all at one point been to a public place to have some coffee or tea or maybe just a quick meal, whether it’s in a restaurant or an airport. But rarely do we need to connect to public WIFI and when we do, it is usually because we have to. Well the whole idea of it seems harmless from the outside, but the hidden truth is that you might be a target victim for hackers and digital threats. Because your digital safety is far more important than free internet access. A hacker could be anyone, and sometimes they are a few dining tables away sitting near you sipping on a cup of coffee while on their laptop.

When you connect to public Wi-Fi, hackers are able to position themselves between your device and the network, becoming the middle man. Every keystroke, every login, every credit card number becomes visible to them and there’s nothing much you can do about it. Be ready for the unexpected and don’t assume that just because you’re in an airport or some government building that you are safe. Hackers create fake WIFI networks that seem legitimate in order to dupe you into it. So if you do end up connecting to one of these, you have basically handed over the keys to your digital life to a complete stranger, it’s a scary thought by all means. Which is why people need to be educated and aware about the dangers of using public networks and what they mean to the public user. We also understand that in our everyday life convenience outweighs caution. People aren’t worried much about safety. But the difference between a home WIFI and a public WIFI means a lot. In reality this brings us to the conclusion that free WIFI isn’t really free. It can come at the cost of your safety and privacy. To protect yourself you need to take basic security measures and some understanding of how to stay safe. Use two factor authentication methods, look for HTTPS or padlock icons when you visit a website. Try and verify all network names with network staff or owners. You can use a VPN service to protect yourself online but keep in mind that not every VPN is good but even free VPNs are better than nothing. Most importantly you need to have a zero trust mindset, assume that all networks are hostile. The most disturbing part of this topic is that many people who fall victim don’t realize they’ve been compromised until months later when strange changes appear or their accounts are hijacked. Your safety and digital privacy is more important than free WIFI and a latte.