You might be a digital nomad or someone who (in a remote work setting) loves working from a coffee shop. Well, whatever the case is, there might be times when you have to find internet near you and connect to that network (likely public).
When you are connecting to a public network, you are going into a digital space that is open for everyone to access, whether they are good or bad (hint: hackers). Public WiFi’s are the best chance for hackers to access your sensitive information like credit card, social security number, and even your pictures.
So, should you completely avoid the public networks? The answer is yes and no. Yes, if you have reliable alternatives, but it is not possible all the time. What you can do is implement the following proven tips while connecting to a public WiFi network and minimize the chances of the fuss I mentioned.
· Connect via a VPN
Do you need an extra layer of security when using public networks? VPN is the way to go.
VPN, or virtual private network, is a network within a network. Basically, what it does is mask your actual IP address with a different IP address, probably in a different country. Then the data that is being passed through that IP address is encrypted. When your data and the IP address are masked, it is difficult for hackers (or third-party individuals) to meddle with your network and the devices connected with it.
Though VPNs are a great way to minimize the risks, not all VPNs work the same. Free VPN usually just change your IP address without encrypting your data. While some do a subpar job of even changing your IP address. I mean, you should try opting for a paid VPN rather than the free versions.
· Keep a Check on Sensitive Information
If you want to make a public network safer, avoid accessing and sending your sensitive information over that network.
It might confuse you a bit, but let me explain. When you are transmitting data over a network, people having access to that network might access it by connecting to the server of the same networkSince public Wi-Fi is a public network, it can be accessed by anyone, making your sensitive information vulnerable.
What you can do to safeguard that information is avoiding accessing public WiFi. OR just use that public network only for tasks that don’t involve sending and receiving sensitive information.
Also, there are WiFi hotspots that might require you to sign in via email to access the network. Should you sign in with your personal email? Not at all. Instead, you should create a separate email specifically to use with the public networks. This is going to keep your data safe as the hackers usually access your sensitive data through personal email, so cut it.
· Always Forget that Network After Using
There is a setting in your networks that lets your mobile phone or your laptop automatically connect with a previously saved network. In case you are in a public space that has an open WiFi network, your device will be automatically connected to that network, and you might not even be aware of that.
When you are not aware of that, you might transmit sensitive information over that network that could be grabbed by hackers, or it will be sold over the network.
To avoid any of that fuss, go into the settings of your device and search for the saved network. Then right-click on it or tap if you are on a mobile phone, and then hit the “Forget Network” button.
Additionally, you should turn off the auto-connect to saved WiFi feature as soon as you leave your home or a safe space like your office.
· Visit Only Safe Websites
Last but not least, you should avoid visiting unsafe websites.
How do you identify which website is safe and which isn’t? Look at the URL above in your browser. and see the start of the URL. If that starts with HTTPS, then it is safe.
In case the URL doesn’t have HTTPS but only HTTP, then it is not safe to visit or spend much time on that website, especially on a public network.
So, these are the ways through which you can keep your mobile phones or your laptops safe when connected to a public network. Let me conclude now by giving you a bonus tip: you can use Proton VPN’s free version, as it is the most secure of all the free VPNs.