How to Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi

Introduction to WiFinder

What are some of the things that you can do to make sure that you stay safe on public Wi-Fi? Depending on the device that you use, there are several things to make sure that you follow those rules to minimize the risks. And we will talk about WiFinder

Update Your Devices

The first one is your device. Your device needs to be up to date. That means update your devices: your Android phone, your Android tablet, your iPhone, your iPad, your Mac computer, your Windows machine. They need to have the latest updates, the latest security updates. Linux machines too, they have security updates every week.

You have to be up to date with the latest security updates. If you’re not, you should never connect to a public Wi-Fi. You’re putting yourself at very, very high risk.

Why? Because the security updates that we get on these devices block some holes in the system that can be exploited, and they can actively be exploited if you’re connected to a public Wi-Fi. Somebody there might be there just to try to get into people’s devices, even inject malware, ransomware, and so on.

So update all devices. If you have an old iPhone, iPad, an old Android phone or tablet, do not connect to public Wi-Fi. It’s extremely dangerous if you have not received security updates in a long time.

Public or Private Network

The second thing is when you go to public Wi-Fi. Particularly in Windows, when you connect to a public Wi-Fi, you have options, and one of them is a public or private network. Make sure that you’re in public network because it closes down the system.

In many cases, when you connect with devices, it often asks you: “Is this a public Wi-Fi?” Or if you use a browser or software, sometimes they tell you: “Are you using a public connection?” Always answer correctly because that shuts down the possibilities of getting access.

If you stay on a private network in Windows, for example, on a public Wi-Fi, anybody on the public Wi-Fi that wants to will see your PC and will even be able to access it. Because you open ports that give access to your Windows operating system, and that’s true for a lot of devices. Make sure that your settings are correct.

The other thing is: do not connect automatically. You see here it says “connect automatically in range.” Any public Wi-Fi that you connect to on any device, you have the option to choose to manually connect to it. You want to connect manually because you don’t want it to connect every time it detects the Wi-Fi connection.

Because if you do that, that means that unattended, when you are not doing anything, your device could connect to a public Wi-Fi without you really knowing. And that adds to the security hazard because you don’t want to be connected to public Wi-Fi longer than what is needed.

This is why I always say: if you have a lot of data on your smartphone, use it as a shared device. Use your smartphone to have a connection between your PC, your tablets, and your phone so that you stay in your own connection and not use public Wi-Fi.

Types of Public Wi-Fi

The other thing about public Wi-Fi is that there are different types of public Wi-Fi. There are still a lot of places that have open Wi-Fi spots. What does that mean? That means that when you look at the available networks, you will see that there’s a little lock here. This lock is telling you that the Wi-Fi is secured. It needs a password in order for you to connect to it.

You want to have that. You want the place to tell you: “You need a password. This is the password you need to use to connect.” Why? Because an open Wi-Fi, one that doesn’t have a little lock, is a Wi-Fi that is out in the open that anybody can snoop on. Some PCs are enabled with devices that can just sniff out the packets.

And on an open Wi-Fi, you see everything that the person is doing. Everything that will be there will be visible to anyone, especially certain activities, like sending emails. For example, often emails are out in the open. They’re already not super secure on the internet. Well, they’re out in the open on Wi-Fi. So you want it to be with a lock.

You want it to have to enter a password, which will enable you to have an encrypted tunnel between your computer, your device, and the router. So that already shuts down some possibilities of having people snoop on you or try to find a way to inject any code or find some personal data about you.

Once that is done, you know that you have a better connection. You should actually educate anybody that has a small coffee shop. Anybody that you go to, and you know their connection is open, educate them. Tell them: “Oh, you should have a password because it’s more secure for everybody, including that place.”

Because sometimes, I’ve actually gone to places, restaurants where they have an open Wi-Fi. You connect to it, and you realize that their Wi-Fi is on the same network as the old restaurant system. You start looking, and you can see the cash registers, you can see PCs or servers they have. This is nuts. And that also is another part for education: the public Wi-Fi that you give should be something else than your personal network in any business.

Use a VPN

Any other things that you use? A VPN can help you stay safe. Yes, use a VPN. It’s a great idea on public Wi-Fi.

There was a VPN within Edge. This VPN has flaws in it. That somebody was mentioning in the comments, and absolutely, it is true that there are a few things about it that are a problem. So if you actually enable Microsoft Edge Secure Network, that opens up the VPN that you’re allowed to use, and you can use the optimize recommended section.

Now, unfortunately, it is absolutely true: there’s no indication anywhere that the VPN is active. And that is a problem. There should be in the title bars somewhere, some little icon that says: “Hey, you’re using a VPN right now.” Unfortunately, there’s none, and that is a problem. So you’re never sure if it’s actually working or not. But in general, it is.

Once you do this and you shut down the browser and restart the browser, you’re on a VPN. And I’ve tested it in many ways. It seems to always work. But yeah, a lack of indication is a problem here.

You can also use third-party VPNs. There are different VPNs that you can use. I don’t like the free VPNs, but often they snoop on you in a certain way. Paid VPNs are way better because they do work on keeping your privacy. So be careful what VPN you use. But the one that you can use with Edge is fine, and this will keep your connection secure.

The other thing is the indication of where are you on the 5 gigabytes per month. If you’re just surfing the web and doing very standard things, no big video viewing and so on, 5 gigabytes a month might be ample data for most people. Because that’s what is offered here for free: 5 gigabytes with it.

This adds another encryption tunnel. So even in a public Wi-Fi where you would be in an open network that doesn’t require a password, you would still be encrypted because this is encrypting all the data from your PC to whatever server on the internet.

Always make sure that you connect to websites that are secure. So you see that little lock that says the connection is secure, it’s HTTPS. Try to stay on these types of websites. That’s another encryption tunnel. HTTPS or secure websites from the browser to the server are usually encrypted. So all of this adds security and privacy to your connection.

Conclusion

These are all little things that you should do: make sure that you connect only manually, and make sure that you only stay the time that you need to stay. Be careful where you connect. The dangers of public Wi-Fi are there. Never connect with an outdated device.

Extremely important. And try not to do anything that is sensitive on public Wi-Fi. Don’t go do some banking or some interactions, transfers, or do nothing that is important. Keep it to the strict: “I’m browsing the web or doing the strict minimum.” It’s really, really important. In the end please our other Apps.

WiFinder is designed for users who care about public WiFi safety, and with WiFinder you always know your connection is secure. The WiFinder app scans networks, gives WiFinder tips, and ensures WiFinder users stay protected. Whether at airports, cafés, or hotels, WiFinder makes public WiFi simple, and WiFinder protection is always active. Choose WiFinder today because WiFinder is smart, WiFinder is safe, and WiFinder is the trusted WiFinder app for everyone.