Most of us have the internet in our pockets, but sometimes using public Wi-Fi is unavoidable. Whether you’re away from home working or doing coursework for school, sometimes you just have to use a traditional laptop. Unfortunately, not every smartphone plan includes a hotspot yet and some internet providers will force you to upgrade your plan or charge you a lot more just to use it. It isn’t always unlimited use either.
If you’re out and you need to use public Wi-Fi, go for it! It’s there for people to use, but there’s more safety precautions you should observe when using it. Here are some easy-to-understand tips on staying safe while using public Wi-Fi networks.
Only Connect To Trusted Public Wi-Fi Networks
Free isn’t always safe. Always connect to Wi-Fi networks you know and trust. Like retail stores, hotel accommodations and restaurants you frequent are generally safe.
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Whether you’re at your local Starbucks or Best Buy, double and triple check you’re really connecting to their network too. Unfortunately, there are people that create lookalike networks to trick you to connect to them. Don’t fall for it. If you’re unsure of what network is the local business’ network, just ask them. They’ll be happy to help you out.
Read The Terms & Conditions Carefully
Most of these public Wi-Fi networks have terms and conditions you have to agree to before they allow you access to their network. It’s a lot to read, but it’s wise to read through it before arbitrarily agreeing to their terms.
They often contain a lot of legalese but you should be able to spot any major red flags. Look at what kind of data they are collecting with you being on their network and how they plan on using it. They have to say it in these terms. Most of the time it’s harmless and they’re just using it for marketing, but it is smart to know. If their terms are not palatable to your use, exit out and immediately disconnect from their network.
Turn Off All File Sharing
When you’re on public Wi-Fi with strangers, you want to turn off all file sharing ASAP. Here are the steps to turn off file sharing:
On a Windows Computer: Go to “Network and Sharing Center”, then “Change advanced sharing settings”, then “Turn off file and printer sharing.”
On an Apple Computer: Go to “System Preferences”, then “Sharing” and then unselect everything. Then go to “Finder”, click on “AirDrop” and select “Allow me to be discovered by: No One”.
Stay On Secure Sites
This one is easy to keep an eye out for. Look for the “https” in the url. If you use Google Chrome, Google lets you know when a site you’ve clicked on isn’t secure before allowing you to access it.
Why does https matter? It does because the information you receive and enter is encrypted. This means that whomever else is using that same public Wi-Fi as you can’t snoop on what you’re doing. It’s keeping your information safe.
Avoid Accessing Sensitive Information On Public Wi-Fi
While using public Wi-Fi, it’s wise to avoid accessing any sensitive information. This includes online banking, bill pay, and anything that has your personal information. If you need to access it, we highly recommend you do so from your smartphone or wait until you get home.
Use Antivirus Software
Yes, antivirus software is still a thing and no it is not overrated. Using a reputable anti software and keeping it up to date is essential to help protect you from all online threats both at home and on public Wi-Fi.
Turn On Two Factor Authentication Where You Can
Two factor authentication adds an extra layer of security on your accounts. What this means is you’ll need more than just your password to sign in. First you’ll sign in like normal with your username and password. Then, with two-factor authentication turned on, you’ll have to enter a verification code. They’re usually texted to your phone, provided by an app on your phone, emailed to you or you will receive it by a phone call. So even if a hacker somehow gets your username and password, they still won’t be able to access your account without that authentication code.
Most online accounts have two factor authentication available nowadays. We highly recommend turning them all on, starting with your most sensitive accounts.
Use A VPN
The safest way to use public Wi-Fi is to use a VPN. A VPN is a virtual private network service that encrypts your data as it is sent to and from your device. It makes it so your data is not visible as it passes through the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to.
If you frequently use public Wi-Fi, we highly recommend you look into using a VPN service. They’re not free, but they only cost from $3 a month to $13 a month, depending on which service you choose. Most offer free trials before committing to the service.
Disclosure: If we like a product or service, we might refer them to our readers via an affiliate link, which means we may receive a referral commission from the sale if you buy the product that we recommended, read more about that in our affiliate disclosure.
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