Is it safe to use public Wi-Fi?
Short answer
Public Wi-Fi is reasonably safe for browsing websites that use HTTPS, which encrypts the content of your connection. The bigger risks are fake hotspots with convincing names and sign-in pages that ask for personal details. Use your mobile data or a trusted VPN for banking and work.
The details
Confirm the exact network name with staff, avoid networks that ask you to install anything, and turn off automatic joining of open networks. Keep your device updated and its firewall on.
Terms explained
- VPN
- A VPN (virtual private network) creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a VPN server, hiding your traffic from the local network and internet provider.
- Firewall
- A firewall controls network traffic between zones, such as the internet and an internal network, allowing or blocking connections according to rules.
- HTTPS and TLS
- HTTPS is HTTP protected by TLS encryption, which keeps data between a browser and a website private and tamper-resistant and confirms the site controls its domain.
Sources
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