Internet and online security - 89
Take special precautions when using public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is available just about everywhere, from the local coffee
shop to the hotels and airports you visit while traveling. While public
Wi-Fi has made our lives a little easier, it also poses security risks to the
personal information available on our laptops and smartphones. A virtual
private network (VPN) gives you online privacy and anonymity by
creating a private network from a public internet connection. VPNs
mask your internet protocol (IP) address so your online actions are
virtually untraceable as well as secure. One of the biggest security risks
on public Wi-Fi are man-in-the-middle attacks (MITM). These attacks
are akin to eavesdropping. Data is sent from point A (computer) to point
B (server/website), and an attacker can get in-between these
transmissions. They then set up tools programmed to "listen in" on
transmissions, intercept data that is specifically targeted as valuable,
and capture the data, such as your login credentials and passwords.
Use a virtual private network (VPN) to ensure your privacy and
anonymity are protected when you use public Wi-Fi. VPN services can
encrypt all the data that you send and receive while using a public Wi-Fi
hotspot, securing your information from hackers and other users of the
same connection.
For more tips on how to stay safe
Good security habits can reduce your exposure to online crime. By
adopting a few basic behaviors, you can make big strides in reducing
cybercrime risk:
• Protect your accounts with strong, unique passwords that use a
combination of at least 10 uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols
and numbers.
• Don't click on random links or open unsolicited messages and
attachments-particularly from people you don't know.
• Don't access any personal information or social media accounts over
unprotected Wi-Fi networks.
• Use security software on your devices to help protect yourself from
the latest threats.
