I recently moved to San Francisco and learned that it’s one of the most connected U.S cities. From
cable to fiber, and cellular data to 5G Home Internet, you can find every kind of connection in this
city.
However, I believe that there’s another major reason why San Francisco has massive connectivity:
Public Wi-Fi hotspots. There’s no scarcity of public WiFi in this city, as you can easily find one in
parks, shopping malls, cafes, and even in local eateries.
But what surprises me the most is that people connect to public WiFi without any caution. For them,
a public WiFi is just free internet. However, what people don’t realize is that they might pay a hefty
price for using public WiFi with their sensitive data.
Having said that, there are ways you can safely connect to a public WiFi, which I’ll explain in this
article.
But before that, let’s start by discussing a more secure, speedier, and better alternative to public
WiFi.
Use Hotspot Zones Offered by Your ISP
I used my cellular data to avoid connecting to a public WiFi.
Honestly speaking, cellular speeds were acceptable, and since I primarily required connectivity for
communication, I didn’t face any problems. However, cellular data was expensive, and I always felt
like I was wasting money on monthly or weekly plans as I occasionally used it outside.
That being said, I don’t use cellular data anymore after subscribing to Optimum. Now, I can use
millions of fast and secure hotspot zones that come with all Optimum Internet plans. And, Optimum
Customer Service always helps me when I need to locate the nearest hotspot zone.
This way, I can safely connect to secure hotspot zones without worrying about my device or data
security.
Now, let’s see some ways that can help you ensure a safe connection to public WiFi hotspots.
Use a Virtual Private Network
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is quite helpful in surpassing geo-restrictions. However, it can be a
useful instrument in securing your devices against malicious public WiFi.
Essentially, a VPN creates a safe passage between your device and its server. It’s an encrypted
tunnel, and all the incoming and outgoing data first goes through it before reaching its destination.
And, this encrypted tunnel ensures no malware or viruses infect your devices and steal data.
Furthermore, a VPN also alters your device’s IP address and makes it unidentifiable to bad actors on
the internet. This way, hackers cannot pinpoint, target, or install malicious content on your devices.
So, the next time you connect to a public WiFi, enable a reliable VPN first on your device. This way, it
can help protect sensitive data stored on your device.
Use a Firewall or Anti-Virus Software
Most devices, especially laptops, can have built-in protection in the form of a firewall. One of its
main purposes is to block and prevent malicious content from infecting the device. Also, some
firewalls can automatically block your device from accessing harmful websites.
On the other hand, an anti-virus software is quite helpful in identifying and removing viruses and
malware, as it can thoroughly scan your device. Also, like a firewall, even if we accidentally try to
access malicious content, a reliable anti-virus software can block access to it.
Here, I’d suggest you always scan your device with an anti-virus software after you disconnect from
public WiFi. This way, even if any virus or malware enters your device via a public network, a strong
anti-virus tool will effectively remove it.
Always Keep Your Device Updated
Smartphones receive frequent security and firmware updates. Besides new and improved features,
these updates also contain vital security patches and bug fixes to enhance our device’s security. Such
patches can fill in existing security loopholes present in the previous updates.
It’s best to install such updates on your smartphone or any other electronic device that you connect
to public WiFi. Your device’s security measures can become obsolete without these updates.
Also, such devices can be a soft target for malware and viruses as compared to the updated ones
with enhanced security protocols.
Do Not Access Sensitive Information and Apps
I would not recommend opening any banking app or accessing any sensitive information like social
security numbers on a public WiFi, even if you’re taking all the precautions.
One major reason why bad actors infect public WiFi is to steal your data. And, as an average public
WiFi user, you may never find out how dangerous malware or viruses have affected the network. So,
to stay safe, I’d recommend that you don’t access any information or application that contains
sensitive information.
However, since online tasks like playing online games or streaming movies don’t contain sensitive
information, it may be safe to engage in such activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we know which websites are safe to visit?
Generally, websites that start with “HTTPS” are safe to browse. Here, the “S” represents that a
website has taken solid measures for security.
Should we forget the public WiFi network disconnecting?
Yes, it’s a good practice to forget the public WiFi network so your device does not automatically
connect to it next time.
