A lot of us are using public wifi to connect online especially when we go outside our respective homes. Most establishments now offer free wifi such as coffee shops, shopping malls, restaurants, bars, resorts, libraries, schools, hotels, guesthouses and a lot more.
But every time we connect to free public wifi, we subject ourselves to potential risks that go alongside with it.
Connecting to free public wifi is inevitable in our daily lives especially for those who rely so much on it such as digital nomads, traveling freelance workers, business travelers etc.
Here are some tips that can help you use public wifi safely:
1. Use a Secured Connection
There are some public wifi connections that don’t need any login info to connect and there are some that will ask you to login a username and password. Go for the connection that will ask you to login as its one step forward in terms of online security.
2. Use Firewall and Anti-Virus Programs
Firewall and Anti-virus programs help protect your computer, tablet or smartphones from malicious programs that might cause you some trouble. Before you connect to a public wifi hotspot, make sure to turn it on.
3. Avoid Downloading from Sites You Don’t Know
If a pop-up suddenly appear asking you to download or execute a program you’re not familiar with, just close it down. You can just install your Windows update when you get back home or if you know that you’re in a secured connection.
4. Minimize Online Access to Your Financial Account
If there’s no urgent need to access your bank, Paypal or credit card online, then you might as well access it once you know you are in a secure connection. It will also be a good strategy to setup another layer of protection. For Visa card holders, you have an option to setup Visa verified option which will further increase your security.
5. Use Unique Password for Different Accounts
Maintain a different set of passwords to a variety of your online account. In case, fraudsters get hold of your Gmail account, they wouldn’t be able to access your Yahoo account if they haven’t cracked the password yet. Use a combination of alpha-numeric and special characters password.
I hope that these tips help you maintain your online security when you connect to free public wifi hotspots.
Do you have any additional tips or suggestions that you like to share? Feel free to leave them in the comment section below.
