When it comes to Wi-Fi, we are all too familiar with this concept and its uses. In a tech-savvy world, it is not surprising to find that Wi-Fi is commonplace in both homes and establishments.
However, a question remains: Can public Wi-Fi be used safely?
The answer to this question lies with iolo’s VPN solution, ioloVPN. Public Wi-Fi is not as protected as your standard home Wi-Fi, which means that you could be susceptible to public Wi-Fi dangers.
In this blog, we will explore the risks of using public Wi-Fi and how to stay safe on public Wi-Fi with ioloVPN.
What is Public Wi-Fi?
Public WiFi simply refers to any other network that can be found, other than your home or corporate network. You might find public WiFi, often free and easily accessible, in public spaces such as:
- Airports
- Cafes
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Public transport
- Libraries
- Hospitals
- And more…
These popular public places are also a hotspot for cyber-attacks, especially as many people will connect to these public Wi-Fi networks without a second thought.
Risks of Public Wi-Fi
Although public Wi-Fi can be convenient and potentially valuable for customers and business owners alike, the security on these public networks tends to be lax, which is dangerous in an age where cyber-attacks are constantly evolving.
So, you might be wondering, “What are the risks of public Wi-Fi then?” – well, there are a few to consider. These include:
Malware
Your computer can be infected with malware without your knowledge, especially if hackers have found a security weakness in your system when connected to a public Wi-Fi network. By exploiting this weakness, hackers can successfully implant malware.
Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
Also known as MitM attacks, this is a common threat on public Wi-Fi networks where hackers are able to read/intercept the data transmissions between your device (when connected to public Wi-Fi) and a service or website that you are accessing. With this type of attack, hackers can:
- Access sensitive data: this is possible if you enter personal information on a website
- Collect passwords: if you enter the same or similar passwords on multiple sites or services, hackers can easily make note of this and impersonate you.
Malicious Hotspots
Malicious hotspots act like legitimate networks, often mimicking the name of an establishment to trick victims into connecting to the network. As soon as you connect and log into this network, hackers are able to view all information and data that you send and receive.
Sniffing/Snooping
Sniffing/snooping is usually done via a sniffing software that helps them eavesdrop on transmissions within a public Wi-Fi network. These softwares can collect data, allowing hackers to view your online activity – from capturing login credentials and sensitive information, to possibly hijacking your accounts.
How to Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi
Now that you are aware of public Wi-Fi dangers, you now need to know how to safely use public Wi-Fi in order to protect your personal information and data. If you can, it is recommended to simply avoid using public Wi-Fi altogether.
However, if you need to use public Wi-Fi with no other alternative, here are the top safety tips to follow:
- Only visit HTTPS sites
- Turn off your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth if they are not in use
- Avoid going on websites that store your sensitive information (such as banks)
- Make sure your devices don’t auto-connect to networks
- Log out once you are done with using the website/service
- Use a VPN like ioloVPN
What is a VPN?
VPN is an acronym for virtual private network, which is a service that is designed to protect your internet connection and privacy when connected to an online network. While you can also use a VPN for your home Wi-Fi network, it is strongly suggested to also use a VPN when using public Wi-Fi .
With a VPN, you can securely connect to a public Wi-Fi network without worrying about being vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
What are the Benefits of a VPN?
By using a VPN, you are effectively helping to block potential harmful attacks on your devices when connected to public WiFi. Some benefits of using a VPN include:
- Disguising device location – logs of activities are not stored, hiding your user behavior
- Secure encryption of data – this prevents your data from being read without an encryption key
- Protected data transfer – peace of mind when transferring files or other data on public WiFi networks
- Access to regional services – VPNs can also be used to spoof your location, enabling you to gain access to services or apps that were previously restricted in your country; this is mainly done for streaming platforms like Netflix where different content can be found depending on the country
How can iolo Help?
If you are wondering how to use public Wi-Fi safely, investing in a VPN software such as ioloVPN is certainly a solution to try. With ioloVPN, you can connect to the internet, regardless of whether that is a public or private Wi-Fi network, securely and safely.
When ioloVPN is activated, all data being transmitted and received is sent to an encrypted tunnel that is connected to a secure gateway. This includes everything from instant messaging, email, VoIP, and streaming. As a result, this makes it incredibly difficult for hackers to intercept and steal your data.
When you choose ioloVPN, you receive:
- Protection for up to 5 devices – compatible with Windows 10, Android 5 and above, and iOS 10 and above
- 256-bit SSL encryption
- Temporary private IP address
- Ad-free connection
- Fast connectivity
- No logs – no data collection
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Continuous connection with worldwide servers
24/7 US-based customer support
Trust iolo for your VPN needs – if you are not satisfied with our products, we also offer a 30-day money back guarantee.
Stay Protected on Public Wi-Fi with ioloVPN
Our VPN software is the ideal solution for safeguarding your personal information when on public Wi-Fi at airports, shops, cafes, or other establishments. Protect your data and information against the risks of public Wi-Fi with ioloVPN.
If you would like to learn more about how to use VPN on public Wi-Fi , don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
