How to Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi
We live in a world constantly on the go, so using public Wi-Fi is an inevitable occurrence. I’m sure we’ve all used the Wi-Fi on a train or plane, at a café, or virtually wherever we can to stay connected. In addition to connecting for our personal lives, many of us are working from home, and when our private Wi-Fi goes out or we need a little break from the monotony of working where we live, it’s common to head to a coffee shop or library, where we’ll be required to use a public Wi-Fi in order to get our work done.
Unfortunately, public Wi-Fi is more vulnerable to attacks by hackers than private Wi-Fi networks. If your company offers public Wi-Fi to visitors, the New Jersey cybersecurity experts at Perspective Omni Media can help you protect your Wi-Fi network from data breaches and cyberattacks.
Beware of Hackers Lurking Near Public Wi-Fi Networks
Public Wi-Fi networks, such as the ones that we use at coffee shops and hotels, are less secure than private networks, like the ones used at home or by employees in the office. When you are logged onto a public Wi-Fi network, hackers can access your data by simply logging onto the same network and then using their usual hacking techniques to steal your information. This is sometimes called a “Man in the Middle” scheme. Other times, hackers will even create fake Wi-Fi hotspots to mislead users into thinking that they have found a safer option than using public Wi-Fi, when in fact, by logging onto the fake hotspot, they are actually playing directly into the hands of data thieves.
Practical Tips for Protecting Your Data While Using a Public Network
Avoiding public Wi-Fi networks entirely is simply not a practical solution to the risks of having your data compromised on a public network, especially in the age of remote work and online gigs; millions of Americans rely on public Wi-Fi networks for their jobs. These are some ways you can protect yourself from the activities of hackers while using public Wi-Fi networks:
Enable two-factor authentication on email accounts and other password-protected sites you access
Do not make financial transactions online while connected to a public network
Use virtual private networks (VPNs)
Only access sites that begin with “https” when connected to public Wi-Fi
Install antivirus software and a firewall on your computer and enable them when using public Wi-Fi
Using public Wi-Fi networks is a fact of life, but taking these simple measures to protect yourself while using public networks can prevent the theft of your data. An added bonus of taking these precautions is that two-factor authentication, antivirus software, and firewalls will keep you safer on private Wi-Fi networks as well.
Contact Perspective Omni Media About Your Cybersecurity Needs
Setting up two-factor authentication may sound like a lot of work, but it is easier than recovering from identity theft. Engaging the services of professional cybersecurity consultants can spare you the stress of a costly cyberattack. Contact Perspective Omni Media in Iselin, New Jersey to discuss your cybersecurity needs.