Why You Should Avoid Public Wi-Fi: What Could Happen?

The phrase “free Wi-Fi” is appealing to everyone. However, using public Wi-Fi can lead to serious problems. The main issue with public Wi-Fi is the lack of security when it comes to your privacy and data. As the name suggests, public Wi-Fi is open to anyone, which means anyone can access it. This makes it easy for someone to hack you just because you’re on the same network.

Unauthorized Wi-Fi Networks

You can be tricked into connecting to a malicious Wi-Fi network set up by a cybercriminal or “black hat” hacker. These networks often have trustworthy names like “Free Wi-Fi” or “GUEST-WIFI.” For example, in a hotel, anyone can name their Wi-Fi as “guest” or “free.” Hackers may use sniffers and malware to compromise your device and steal your personal or company data.

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks are more common than you might think, and because they are passive by nature, they are hard to detect. Hackers can intercept your data as it travels between your device and the internet. There are many resources explaining how MITM attacks work, so it’s important to educate yourself if you’re unfamiliar with this threat.

Malware Through Unsecured Wi-Fi

Many hackers distribute malware over public networks to create backdoors and steal your data. There are numerous ways to do this, especially since people often neglect basic security measures when using Wi-Fi and their devices. Many users don’t even have antivirus protection installed.

Eavesdropping and Snooping

This type of attack is often combined with man-in-the-middle attacks, but not always. If you visit HTTP websites (instead of HTTPS), your data can be easily seen by anyone using a sniffer on the network, even without a MITM attack. Many people are unaware of the risks of not using HTTPS sites. Even hackers use HTTPS to protect their readers, so why take the risk?

Targeting Companies

Hackers often try to breach companies by gaining access to the corporate network through a compromised device. They are always on the lookout for devices that are easy to hack. If you use public Wi-Fi, you could be an easy target. To avoid risking your job or your company’s data, it’s best to completely avoid public Wi-Fi networks.

Malicious Attacks via Ad Hoc Networks

Ad hoc networks are peer-to-peer connections that allow users to directly connect two or more computers. If an employee’s system is compromised and they use public Wi-Fi, their device may be set to discover new networks, giving hackers the opportunity to infect and hack other computers on the network. This is a situation you definitely want to avoid.

Vulnerability of Passwords and Usernames

Confidential information like your cookies, usernames, and passwords can be exchanged over the network, making it accessible to anyone. Do you really want this information to be public?

Advertising

Ads are a common way to make money, both legally and illegally. Many hackers install adware and pop-up ads on public Wi-Fi networks. When users click on these ads, the hacker profits. Some public Wi-Fi networks are hacked specifically to inject more ads into users’ systems. If you want to avoid this, stay away from public Wi-Fi.