How do Cybercriminals Hack Public WiFi?
Cybercriminals use various types of malware and viruses, such as ransomware, browser hijackers, spyware, phishing links, and trojan horses, to enter your devices. They plot malicious hotspots with real names and password-cracking attacks that launch a barrage of passwords to access your key accounts and important interfaces. Once this malware enters your account, it creates a secure connection between the hackers and your device. These malicious programs modify the internal programs and transfer all the information to outsiders. In addition to this, your device also gets packet sniffing attacks that are sent across all the public internet connections. These packets unpack themselves when they are in your system and steal all the credentials and financial data from it.
Tips To Safely Connect On Public WiFi and Outsmart Hackers
This post offers you the best tips and safety measures to safely connect to public WiFi and outsmart hackers. Following these tips, you can prevent black hats from spying on you, protect personal information from theft, and block malware infiltration on your devices. Here are the best tips to safely connect to the public WiFi:
Use VPN
Never forget to start your VPN program when you are connecting to a public internet network. It is one of the best tools to protect you from online hackers and interceptors. Virtual Private Network encrypts your network data and connects you to a secure server. It hides your device location and IP address and deceives the web from online interceptors, ISPs, third parties, and government institutes during your online activities. Hence, you should use a VPN on your device to protect it from hackers and cyberpunks while using public WiFi networks.
Clear Browsing History
Your browsing history carries a lot of sensitive information and temporary files related to your online activities and search patterns. If this information falls into the hands of hijackers, they can interfere with your online activities. They can use this info to send you phishing links and trojan horses to trap you in harmful activities. So, it is highly recommended that you clear your browsing history when you are connected to an open WiFi network. It will prevent online cyberpunks from stealing your data and tracking down your internet activities. Moreover, your device will go invisible on the network connection list, which will make it impossible to find you and launch any harmful attack on you.
Activate Antivirus Software
Activate your antivirus software before you are connected to a Wireless Hotspot. It will protect your device and search browser from malware infiltration, scan the device for viruses and infection, and secure your network from malicious programs. Since open internet sources target no one for black hats to launch their malicious operations, you can stay safe from malware attacks if you run antivirus software on your devices.
Disable The Bluetooth Visibility
Make sure you turn off the device’s Bluetooth discoverability before connecting to the Wireless Hotspots. With this configuration, your device becomes secure from potential risks associated with unauthorized Bluetooth connections. It will protect you from data breaches or device hacking. So, always disable your Bluetooth discoverability to prevent unauthorized device access.
Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor Authentication is one of the best security features you can use on your devices to protect them from unauthorized access. If, by chance, you have compromised your important passwords to anyone, there will always be a second fence that will protect your accounts from illegal access. This will come in between the path of the infiltrators and block their access to the main account. Therefore, always use Multi-Factor Authentication services to protect your accounts and devices from online swindlers.
Turn off Auto-Connect
Never leave your auto-connect options open on your devices. It can connect you to any available public WiFi network without even your knowledge. It is an open threat to your mobile devices and computers that you should always avoid. So, make sure to turn off all the auto-connect options on your device to prevent potential threats from accessing them. Also, it will prevent malware infiltration and virus infection on your devices. Therefore, make sure to turn off auto-connect options on your device to protect it from malware infections.
Use Only Known Internet Entities
Make sure when you are connecting to a common WiFi network, it has a physical entity to its network. That means you must be aware of the network that you are connecting to using your public WiFi. You should not use any public internet services that have no establishment or physical entity. It could have been the work of a malicious actor. Cybercriminals often use fake internet service names to lure users to use the free internet. As soon as they connect to it, they become caught in the trap. So, you must always ensure that the open-source internet you are connecting to is coming from a valid entity.
Log Out Online Accounts
When you are connecting to public WiFi, it is important that you log out from all your important online accounts. It will keep you safe from all the hackers and malware infiltration. You can secure your accounts and block all unauthorized access. It will prevent unnecessary security issues that you are facing while connecting to public WiFi networks.
Uninstall Apps You No Longer Use
Apps that you no longer use can also create problems for you. These apps enlarge the virus attack surface on your device when you are connected online. You often ignore updating these apps when new downloads are available. Old versions of software and programs often become vulnerable, which invites malicious programs to your system. To do away with this situation, you should either keep all the running apps and programs up to date or uninstall them to root out the problem completely.
Use Password Manager
Managing and monitoring your passwords is highly essential to keep your online accounts secure from hackers. It is highly recommended that you use a password manager or encrypted vault to save your passwords and important credentials. Password manager will allow you to auto-fill all the passwords and credentials whenever you open them on your computer. The encrypted password vault protects your credentials from all online attacks and hackers. Most importantly, it creates unique and strong passwords for all the apps and programs. Hence, make sure to use it and protect all your online accounts from malicious attacks.
Never Provide Personal Info
If you connect to any public WiFi and it asks for any personal info like credit card details, SSN, date of birth, email address, or home address to provide access, then you are highly advised to avoid it. Never provide personal info to connect to Public WiFi. Online black hats use these tactics to promote illicit gains and commit illegal acts in your name. They may use it to steal your money, create fake social media accounts, or spread false news about you. So, be careful about personal details when using free net services.
Unsave WiFi Networks From Your Device
Whenever you connect to a common public network, it gets saved in your network list. In this condition, whenever you pass by this network again, and your hotspot connectivity remains on in your gadgets, it automatically connects to the network. Hence, make sure when you have finished using a WiFi network, you remove that network from your list. It will prevent your computer, phone, or laptop from connecting automatically to those WiFi networks.
Conclusion
Using public networks for a long time constantly puts you in potential danger of getting your devices infected with malware and viruses. You can use free internet services in public areas to do important work for a short time or during an emergency. However, you must observe the safety measures and tips mentioned in this blog. It will protect you from unwanted mishaps and cyber dangers associated with Public WiFi connections. Using free-to-use internet services without observing any safety measures exposes you to various malicious threats that can disrupt your device and digital on a broader level. It may cause you loss of data and online privacy breaches that put you at a constant risk. So, you must be cautious while using public internet services to keep yourself secure from online hackers.
