Could public Wi-Fi be a threat to your data?

Public Wi-Fi has revolutionised the way we live our lives online.

Whether we are working on the go or scrolling through social media, we now have access to free and instant internet connection at our fingertips.

From coffee shops and restaurants to shopping centres and airports, public Wi-Fi is on offer almost everywhere. On the surface this may seem like an easy and convenient resource, but this new online freedom comes at a price.

Public Wi-Fi poses an enormous risk to your data. Both your personal and professional information is under threat any time you connect to an unsecured hotspot.

In this blog we explore the risks associated with connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks and what steps you can take to protect yourselves online.

What is an unsecured network?

An unsecured Wi-Fi network is a network that is unprotected and unencrypted. Anyone can connect to an unsecured public network without having to use a password or share any login information.

The shift in working practices to hybrid and remote work means more people than ever are accessing company data and sensitive emails whilst on the go so for many public Wi-Fi seems like a fantastic resource.

However, as public networks don’t require any kind of authentication to establish a connection, they have become an obvious target for hackers.

With countless access points, hackers can easily capture personal information, distribute malware and infect your devices.

Man in the middle attacks (MitM)

One of the most common risks you face when connecting to public Wi-Fi is a Man in the Middle attack. MitM attacks allow hackers to take advantage of the poor security public Wi-Fi offers by intercepting the data and website traffic of anyone connected.

In this kind of attack, a hacker positions themselves between you and the server. It does not affect your internet access so once connected to the hotspot you could be none the wiser.

Once in position the hacker is able to see all your website traffic. If you access private data, enter passwords or make online transactions the hackers can see it all.

Distribution of malware

Due to vulnerabilities in the software of your devices, malicious actors are also capable of using unsecured networks to distribute malware.

Hackers can infect a public hotspot at the connection point which then infects all devices connected to the network. They can even issue fake pop ups or adverts which, if clicked on, download malware or spyware directly onto your mobile device.

Malware comes in a variety of forms. Depending on the type, a hacker could take over your entire device. All infected devices risk loss of function or permanent data loss.

Malicious hotspots

The risks of public Wi-Fi don’t end there unfortunately. Hackers can not only take over genuine Wi-Fi networks, but they can also create their own hotspots that appear legitimate at first glance.

Hackers create unsecured hotspots under the guise of a nearby businesses in the hopes customers will try to connect to it. They can also create fake web pages by mimicking popular sites which allow them to capture your information when you try to access them.

These malicious hotpots pose a greater risk to network safety as they create even more avenues of attack.

How to mitigate the risk

So, should we simply give up connecting to public Wi-Fi altogether?

If the right precautions are taken, there is no reason an unsecured network cannot be used with relative safety.

Accessing sensitive data is one of the most frequent mistakes. Logging into online banking, making purchases online or accessing personal information should always be avoided through an unsecured Wi-Fi network where possible.

For anyone working on the go that needs to access private company data or emails, a VPN is a smart choice.  A VPN (virtual private network) offers an extra layer of security and restricts third parties from monitoring your online traffic. A VPN encrypts your personal information which makes connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks a much safer option.

Installing advanced mobile security can help protect your device from malware and spyware as well as offering encryption and disaster recovery. Mobile protection provides real time scanning for malware threats or jailbroken devices with automatic remediation and remote locking which works to reduce the chance of a breach.

To understand how OX IT Solutions works to keep your devices secure at all times contact one of our team today on: 01865 594 930.

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