Whilst sharing a network, you are not protected from other users who are connected to it as well; thus making it possible for others to sniff your data either through crafty efforts or just lax security. Even if you’re just checking your email, let alone taking the risk of checking your internet banking, it’s critical that you take the steps to keep yourself secure every time you connect to a public network.
So what should you do?
1. Avoid the sensitive stuff
Do you really need to do your internet banking over public WiFi, do you really need to buy something and enter your Credit Card over public WiFi? Think about avoiding these things, by doing so you’re keeping your most important accounts/details secure and minimising your risk – granted you should be using HTTPS/SSL.
2. Don’t enable network sharing
When you first access a new WiFi network a Windows computer will ask you what sharing zone you want to be in. Always set it to a public network to ensure that you’ve got network discover and file sharing disabled.
3. Use HTTPS and SSL connections
Where possible, opt for the more secure HTTPS connections. Many websites such as Facebook, Gmail, Twitter, etc will automatically default to turning it on and this helps to avoid others sniffing your traffic. If you’re collecting mail using an application such as Microsoft Outlook, Mac Mail, Thunderbird, etc; in your email settings enable “Use SSL” – this is a good idea for any internet connection.
4. Use a Virus Scanner and Firewall
Turn them on and keep them up to date. A firewall isn’t going to stop everything, but it’s going to do a darn good job of protecting you from some of the basic attack attempts.
These tips aren’t going to cover everything, but they are excellent steps to take to minimise your risk on free public WiFi. Always consider a safety first approach and if it’s something truly sensitive, ask yourself whether it’s something which needs to wait until you’re on a more secure internet connection.