- Turn off auto-connect, using VPN and 2FA increases security.
Public Wi-Fi: In today’s era, free Wi-Fi is easily available everywhere, be it airport, cafe, mall or railway station. Lakhs of people in India connect with these networks every day. But as easy as this facility seems, an equally big danger is hidden behind it. According to cyber experts, unsecured public Wi-Fi networks can pose a risk to both your data and money, especially when digital payments and mobile banking are growing rapidly.
What happens when you connect to public Wi-Fi?
When you connect to free Wi-Fi, your device works on a network that is often not secure (encrypted). This means that any hacker present on the same network can keep an eye on your online activities.
Many times attackers use man-in-the-middle technique in which they come between you and the website and silently steal data. If you understand in simple language, whatever you type, password, OTP, email, everything can get into their hands. Apart from this, fake Wi-Fi networks are also created which look like real ones and easily trap people.
What are the biggest threats?
The biggest risks of public Wi-Fi are identity theft, banking fraud and malware attacks. Cyber criminals can steal login details of your banking apps, social media or office accounts. Another common method is session hijacking in which hackers gain control of your account without even entering the password. In some cases, malware is also inserted into your phone through the network which continues to monitor your activities even later. These threats can have a direct impact on your money, UPI apps and personal information, even your photos and messages can fall into the wrong hands.
How to keep yourself safe?
There is no need to stop using public Wi-Fi completely, but caution is very important. Never login to banking app or make any payment on open network. While opening any website, ensure that its URL contains HTTPS so that the connection remains secure.
Keep the auto-connect feature turned off in your phone so that your device does not automatically connect to an unknown network. Additionally, using a trusted VPN encrypts your data, further enhancing security. Additionally, turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for essential apps. With this, even if the password is stolen, your account can remain safe.
Why is caution important in everyday life?
In today’s time when every small and big payment has become digital, even a small mistake can cause big loss. Public Wi-Fi is present everywhere but along with it, cyber threats are also increasing at an equally fast pace. If you take a little care, you can keep your money, personal information and online identity safe. Only proper use of public Wi-Fi can protect you from these dangers.
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This small mistake while using a laptop can become a big danger! If we don’t improve now, we will suffer huge losses.
