Using public Wi-Fi can be very convenient, especially if you have limited or no data left on your mobile plan. However, as you might already know, using public Wi-Fi comes with security risks, and sometimes avoiding its use altogether may be the best choice. Nonetheless, there are situations where using public Wi-Fi is your only option to connect to the internet to send that important text or email.
Besides public Wi-Fi, our home Wi-Fi networks can also be vulnerable to attacks if they are not properly secured. In this article, I will walk you through the best practices you need to follow to avoid becoming the next victim of insecure Wi-Fi networks. I will begin by explaining the most common risks associated with using Wi-Fi.
Risks of Using WiFi
Here’s a breakdown of the risks associated with different types of WiFi networks:
Public WiFi Dangers
- Unencrypted Connections: Many public WiFi networks don’t use encryption, meaning the data sent between your device and the router can be intercepted by hackers if they are on the same network.
- Fake Hotspots: Attackers can set up rogue WiFi networks with names like “Free Airport WiFi” to trick users into connecting to it. Those who connect risk having all their sensitive information stolen if they ever access any website that requires sharing such information.
Home WiFi Threats
- Weak Passwords: Simple or default passwords make it easy for hackers to break into your network.
- Outdated Firmware: If your router’s firmware isn’t updated, it may have known security flaws that hackers can exploit.
- Unauthorized Access: Without proper security settings, outsiders can connect to your network and potentially steal your personal data or use your internet for illegal activities.
Now that we are aware of some common risks associated with using WiFi networks, let’s explore various methods to secure them. I will begin with securing home WiFi networks.
Securing Your Home WiFi
To protect your home network from cyber threats, follow these six best practices:
1. Change Default Router Login Credentials
Routers come with default usernames and passwords that hackers can easily look up online. Connect to your router with a computer and log in to its router’s management interface to change these credentials. This move ensures that unauthorized users can’t access router settings to change anything.
2. Use a Strong and Unique WiFi Password
Your WiFi password should be long, complex, and unique. I would recommend using at least 10 characters with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to make it harder for attackers to crack. In addition to the password, you should also change the WiFi name from the default. This makes it harder for attackers to know the brand of your router, which they could use to possibly exploit the known vulnerabilities it has.
3. Enable WPA3 or WPA2 Encryption
Encryption protects the data transmitted within your home WiFi network. WPA3 is the latest and most secure encryption standard, but if your router doesn’t support it, WPA2 is still a good option. Avoid WEP, as it is outdated and easily hacked. All these options can be accessed using your router’s management interface.
4. Regularly Update Router Firmware
Router manufacturers release firmware updates to patch security vulnerabilities. Check for updates regularly or enable automatic updates if your router supports it. On this note, I would also recommend buying routers from reputable brands that are known for rolling out regular security updates to patch any vulnerabilities detected in their firmware.
5. Disable WPS and Unused Network Features
WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) is meant to simplify connecting devices to WiFi but has major security flaws. Go to the router management interface and disable it to reduce the risk of brute-force attacks. Also, turn off remote management and other unnecessary features to limit attack points.
6. Monitor Devices Connected to Your WiFi
Regularly check the list of devices connected to your home WiFi using your router’s management interface. If you see an unfamiliar device, it could be an intruder. Most routers have an admin dashboard in the management interface where you can review connected devices and block unknown ones. After removing unknown devices, consider changing your WiFi password and the login credentials for accessing the router’s management interface.
Staying Safe on Public WiFi
Follow these six strategies to stay safe when using public networks:
1. Avoid Logging into Sensitive Accounts
When using public WiFi, you don’t have control over their network security settings. All activities on public WiFi can be easily monitored by attackers, especially if WPA2 or WPA3 encryption is not enabled.
If you log into sensitive accounts, hackers might capture your credentials and gain unauthorized access to those accounts. If you must access such accounts, use a VPN or switch to mobile data instead. But the safest solution is using mobile data.
2. Use a VPN for Encrypted Browsing
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it unreadable to hackers even if they are connected to the same WiFi network as you. When your connection is encrypted, hackers won’t be able to see what you’re doing even if they intercept your data. For the best security, ensure you use a trusted VPN service whenever you connect to public WiFi.
3. Turn Off Auto-Connect to WiFi Networks
Many devices automatically connect to open WiFi networks, which can expose you to fake or malicious hotspots. Disable this feature on your device in your WiFi settings to prevent unintentional connections to networks you do not intentionally want to use. You should also forget the WiFi network after you are done using it to avoid unintentional connections in the future.
4. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for Critical Accounts
In the unfortunate event that a hacker steals the login credentials for one of your accounts, using Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) could save you. With MFA, the hacker will need access to the second factor you added, such as a code sent to your email or authentication app to compromise your account. Ensure that you enable MFA on important accounts like email, banking, and cloud storage.
5. Turn Off File Sharing
Turning off file sharing prevents unauthorized access to your files when connected to public Wi-Fi. If you are using iOS, ensure AirDrop is disabled, and for those using Android, disable features like QuickShare. Disabling file sharing reduces the risk of cyber threats like malware infections, data theft, and unauthorized remote access that could occur when hackers exploit the protocols used by the file sharing features on your device.
6. Use Antivirus Software
If you are using a Mac or Windows PC to access public WiFi, ensure that you have antivirus features enabled, whether you use the built-in ones or those from third parties. Antivirus programs protect you while using public WiFi by detecting malware that might enter your system through the shared network.
Most antivirus programs will warn you if known viruses are loaded onto your device or if there is any suspicious activity, attack, or malware infection. Additionally, make sure to keep your antivirus software of choice updated.
Final Thoughts
Most of the best practices I have shared are quite easy to implement and don’t cost any money. Many people tend to overlook their security because they have never experienced a cyberattack. However, don’t wait for an attack to happen before taking action.
The right time to secure yourself is before an attack occurs, not after you discover that one of your accounts has been hacked. Take the time to implement the best practices I have shared to avoid becoming the next victim of using unsecured WiFi networks.