There is no doubt that public WiFi can make things a lot easier for you when you are looking for an internet connection outside your house. However, considering that it is a public network, it comes with a downside as well.

A public WiFi network isn’t as secure as the internet connection that you have in your house, which is why you have to be cautious when  you connect your device. It’s a public network, after all.

In this article, we explore how you can use a public WiFi network safely, so make sure that you stick around until the end to learn to keep not only yourself but those around you safe as you use a public network.

Let’s get into it!

Make Sure That You Connect to the Right Network

Before you connect to a public WiFi, you must make sure that you are connecting to a reliable network. It is often likely that someone may have named another network in such a way that it seems legit, while it actually isn’t. For instance, if you head to Macy’s and see two public WiFi’s “Macy’s Internet” and “Macy’s_Internet_1”, then you can make an educated guess about which one is safe and which one isn’t. This is why you have to double-check before you connect to a public network.

For instance, before you connect to an Xfinity WiFi Hotspot, you can always call the Xfinity Customer Service Phone Number to ask a representative whether the network you are connecting to is real or not. Once you are sure that it is safe to connect to, go ahead. Always keep in mind that reliability is very important before you connect.

Ensure That Your Accounts and Devices are Well-Protected

It is crucial that you make sure that the devices that you use and all your online accounts are well-protected while you are connected to a public WiFi network. The best way to do that is by setting a strong password which wouldn’t be easy to guess for someone who would be looking to infiltrate your device and hack into your accounts.

Another thing you can do is enabling two-factor authentication to all of your accounts. This would send you a prompt via text or email, telling you that someone tried logging into your account. This way you can take the necessary steps to make your account secure if someone tries to break into it.

If you are using a laptop to connect to a public network, make sure that all of your security settings are on and your firewall is turned on as well. Also, make sure that whatever device you connect to a public network is up to date with the latest software version.

Try Not to Add Any Sensitive Information

Usually, when you access a public WiFi network, it is likely that they ask for your credentials to sign in so that you can access the internet. This usually happens in places such as malls, airports, cinema, etc. The credentials could either include your phone number or your email address, with the latter being more common.

However, if you are skeptical about sharing your personal information, you can always use a secondary email address instead. You can create an email address that is dedicated to be used for public networks and contains no sensitive data . This way you wouldn’t have to be worried about someone breaching your information or storing your data as you use a public WiFi network.

Also, make sure that you use different passwords for different accounts that you use. The reason is that if a hacker figures out one password and you use the same one across all your accounts, you would automatically be giving them access to all of them.

Beware of “Man-in-the-Middle” Attacks

The most common threat that you would face on a public network is a man-in-the-middle attack (or MITM attack for short). This is seen as a form of eavesdropping as you use a public network.

When you connect your device to any internet connection, the data stored in that device travels from point A (you) to point B (the website, or any platform you are accessing over the internet). There are certain aspects of a public account that make it easier for people to tap into your connection and read that data.

These attackers can also send you phishing emails so that they can trick you into sharing your sensitive data and credentials. This is why you need to be super careful while you use a public network.

Also try to encrypt your chats, for instance, if you use WhatsApp, you have the option of end-to-end encryption to make sure that no one can break into your charts.

To find out more about the risks of a public network, you should read this article by Kaspersky, a well-known computer security company.

Staying safe on the internet is a responsibility bigger than you think it is. Especially while using a public network since that comes with its own vulnerabilities. Make sure you follow all these steps to ensure that you are as safe as possible!