Public Wifi Risks

How often do you see signs for free Wifi access and charging stations for your mobile devices? These amenities are available for your convenience in many public spaces like coffee shops and airports. Unfortunately, cybercriminals love free Wifi and charging stations, too. Cybercriminals can hack into public wifi networks and charging stations to steal your sensitive information.

Public Wifi

Cybercriminals can gain access to a public Wifi network with a fake access page phishing scam. This fake access page will prompt you to put in personal information like your name, email address, and phone number. If you share this information with cybercriminals, they can target you in future scams to steal more sensitive information, such as your credit card number or passwords.

Public Charging Stations

Cybercriminals can use charging stations to access your device. While charging stations may seem convenient and harmless, cybercriminals can load malware onto public USB chargers. If you plug your device into the infected USB charger, cybercriminals will be able to look at and download your personal data, such as saved passwords. If you enter your login credentials, cybercriminals will use them to access your accounts and steal your sensitive information.

What Can I Do to Stay Safe?

Follow the tips below to stay safe from public Wifi and charging station scams:

• Always use a VPN. VPNs create a secure connection between your device and the internet, making it harder for cybercriminals to steal your information.
• Be careful using your mobile device when connected to public Wifi. If you need to enter or review sensitive information, disconnect from the public Wifi.
• Never plug any public charging accessories into your mobile devices. Instead, bring a spare device charger or battery with you for emergencies.

If you believe that you have been a victim of a cybercrime, no matter the size of the crime, you can file a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Also, let your financial institutions know so that they can take the proper actions to ensure your account is protected. If you still have access to your accounts, change your passwords and make sure to take additional defensive measures to ensure your private information stays protected

Check out more of our informative blogs on how to protect yourself from spam: https://bit.ly/3zvg4ot

Source: KnowBe4: https://www.knowbe4.com/ KnowBe4 Security Tips - "Free! Public Hacking"