Protect Your Data: Take Action for Maximum Public Wi-Fi Security

Heads up to all of our current and future clients – Public Networks are not Safe!
 
There’s lots of talk today about the security of public Wi-Fi and steps you can take to protect your device (and data) security when connected to the Internet via public Wi-Fi. For good reason, too, I might add! Once you leave the security of your home or business Wi-Fi, and connect using a public access point, you put your passwords and data at much greater risk. Public networks are unencrypted and make you vulnerable to attack, or what’s called a “man in the middle” or MitM attack.  Here a third party can watch all of your data flowing on the network. (Not good!)
 
Wi-Fi access is virtually everywhere but please know that it is far less secure that any private network. A word of caution.  You will know very little about the public Wi-Fi you’re connecting to, or who else may be connected to the same network, possibly for nefarious reasons. We advise all of our customers to try to minimize their risk by connecting only to networks offered by familiar, trustworthy sources. A Panera Bread Wi-Fi is likely going to be more trustworthy than a connection to Bobby-Jo’s Pizza Emporium. The easiest and more obvious strategy is to make sure you are using the latest versions of software available, and you have installed all patches and updates and, when you do sign in to use a public Wi-Fi connection, limit the information you provide.
 
Here are a few additional tips to help you minimize your risk, which we review with all clients:

• In business, if you offer public Wi-Fi to customers, keep your business and public Wi-Fi networks separate!  
• Take control of your file access. You never know who may be lurking in the shadows, or the next booth, downloading your data! Pay attention to your file sharing and airdrop settings on your device. Disable all file sharing. Learn how to do this on your device.  If you need help, call us.
• Use a virtual private network, which connects you to a secure server and encrypts your data to/from your device. You’ll need a VPN client. Call us if you need help with this. We recommend a paid VPN service.  
• Caveat Emptor: Buyer beware. Refrain from downloading new software over a public Wi-Fi. Wait until you have a secure connection.  
• Be careful to log out of all accounts before disconnecting, and only visit sites with HTTPS  
• As a last resort, you can always slowly scan the room and see who may be wearing a dark hoodie and a face mask, with their head down and a spooky giggle, banging away on their keyboard as they are looking at you.  

 
We want you to get the safest access public W-Fi so you can fully enjoy your personal device. Of course, we’re here to help you with this issue… and with whatever else may be on your organization’s whiteboard of IT priorities. Call us at 508.528.7720 with questions.

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