Surfing Public Wi-Fi Not That Safe

CHANDIGARH: The next time you log on to a public Wi-Fi, better be aware that it is not all that safe.

The most common threat is the risk of releasing bank accounts when using any public Wi-Fi as these accounts can easily be hacked by using radio receiver from any electronics store. As per a study, single computer virus that steals banking log in details and pass-phrases has infected over 90 lakh computers and mobile phones in one single year alone worldwide.

Cyber experts say using public computers is not safe at all if you are not keeping photos or passwords or anything on your device. Despite having smart phones, people tend to use computers kept in libraries or schools or hotels.

Rajeev Kapil, a cyber security expert, says, "Public computers are not safe to use, especially when you are accessing personal or sensitive data. People have no idea whether they are secure or some hacker has put some key-logger which can track username and password."

Hackers have unlimited ways to access information and most use software to intercept signals and hackers see everything on free Wi-Fi user's screen. The security experts say the software, "sniffer software," is often used to extract important information.

"Cyber criminals on free public Wi-Fi redirect people to fake websites, for example, this can be done for bank services. The duplicate web page of the bank will look exactly the same. As soon as you login and enter your password, hackers get the account details and can access all your account," say experts.

Experts add that Wi-Fi is mostly not secured as it enables unauthorized people to do anything online which also include capturing passwords, reading private e-mails and pictures. These things happen when the connection between device and the Wi-Fi is not encrypted, often called free Wi-Fi, and hackers create artificial hotspots which easily fool that it is genuine.

Rakshit Tandon, another Cyber security expert, says, "It is not safe to use public Wi-Fi most of the times as the encryption is weak. A smart or rookie level hacker can easily hack the data. People should use VPN or secured web browser to avoid hacking."

It is not necessary that hacking may take place when person is sitting next to you; hackers can use waves or even antenna to decode your data while sitting up to 200 feet away and monitor what you do on your computer.

HOW TO BE SECURE
Do not send or receive private information on public Wi-FiUse your mobile networkUse secure, encrypted virtual private network (VPN)Ensure you have effective and updated anti-virus/anti-spyware software and firewall running before you use public Wi-Fi Try to avoid financial transactions, which contain passwords or personal information such as credit card numbers, debit card, username, pictures, using Wi-FiBefore leaving public computer, delete files and cookies and clear browsing historyChange your password frequentlyDon't let your device connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots automaticallyDelete public Wi-Fi access pointsAlways use unique and complex passwords for important accountsCheck web-links before clicking and use it further if 'https' in the browser address bar which means secured.