Some things are unavoidable, and free Wi-Fi is one of them; whether you’re at an airport waiting for your flight or shopping at your favorite mall, you cannot stop yourself from accessing a free network. The reason why it is our first instinct to hop on public Wi-Fi is not only because it is free but also because it is incredibly convenient. However, we often overlook that public Wi-Fi or shared networks, in general, come with a severe risk.
Public Wi-Fi: More of a Curse Than Blessing
Since free internet connections are open to the public, it is effortless to compromise them. Hackers often take advantage of the negligent security features that accompany shared networks and try to cause harm to users that are connected to the same network. According to a survey by GIACT, it was found that around 50% of public Wi-Fi consumers in the US were a victim of identity theft or other things like social account takeovers.
VPNs and Public Networks
So, no matter how tempting it is to connect to a public Wi-Fi, you must take measures to protect your privacy. There are different ways you can do this, and the simplest one is not to use public networks at all, but as we mentioned earlier, it is nearly impossible not to connect to a free connection. So, the best way to handle this situation is by using a quality VPN.
The Risks of Connecting to Public Networks
Before diving into the details, let’s first understand why it is so important to use a VPN on public networks and some of the risks of connecting to public Wi-Fi without proper security.
Malware Injection – Malware injection is one of the most common types of attacks on public networks; as the name suggests, malware injection happens when a hacker gets access to your device with the help of public networks and injects malware into it. The malware then provides the hacker with a backdoor to all your data.
Wi-Fi Sniffing – The other standard attack on public Wi-Fi is sniffing. This kind of attack is more of a passive act as the hacker stays put, and with the help of malicious software. Sniffing allows hackers to monitor all your data passing through the Wi-Fi network.
What is a VPN, and How Does it Helps?
A virtual private network, better known as a VPN, is a potent tool to protect your online privacy. Due to the increasing number of online attacks, the number of VPN users has also grown quickly over the past few years. A VPN could be your best friend when connected to a public network, as it prevents hackers from attacking you by encrypting your data. This means that anyone who is snooping on your network will not be able to make meaning out of your data that is being transmitted because it would be encrypted.
How Does a VPN Work?
The way a VPN works is straightforward; other than encrypting your data, a VPN redirects your internet connection through an internet server. When your internet connection gets redirected, your IP address also changes automatically. IP masking is highly beneficial for your online privacy because an IP address is crucial information that a hacker needs to identify and attack your device. When connected to a VPN server, the hacker would only be able to see the IP address of the VPN server rather than see your actual IP address.
What Kind of VPN is the Best?
Now, a question many people ask is whether they can use any VPN to connect to public Wi-Fi. And the answer to this question is “no”. As we mentioned earlier, you should only use a quality VPN because not all VPNs are alike. Countless VPNs in the market provide weak encryption. However, a reputable VPN service such as AngelVPN can be the perfect option if you’re looking for solid security and numerous other features.
Most free VPNs often do the opposite of what they are made to do. For example, it has been found that a variety of VPN services sell your data to make money. In contrast, a VPN like the AngelVPN not only guarantees a no-logs policy but also delivers military-grade encryption, threat protection, a reliable kill switch, and numerous simultaneous connections.
Some Extra Tips for Using Public Wi-Fi
Enable 2FA – Enabling two-factor authentication is one of the best ways to protect your data, whether you are on a public network or a private two-factor authentication works everywhere. 2FA requires the user to verify himself twice before logging in.
Stay Away from Phishing – One mistake that many internet users make is that even after connecting to a VPN, they fall into phishing traps. Phishing is when you open a malicious link or an attachment and the hacker gets access to your data as soon as you open it.
