Australia’s public wi-fi is growing beyond what some people predicted. The population’s acceptance of public Wi-Fi shows how hungry Australians are for good and reliable Internet. The problem is this public option comes with dangers, which could mean things like compromised data amongst other issues. Taking the following proper precautions when using public Wi-Fi is the way to go to stay safe.
Stay Away From Sensitive Information
The dangers of public wi-fi are not going to stop people from using them, even if they aren’t in Perth, which is said to have the safest wi-fi. The best tip you can incorporate into your public wi-fi surfing is to simply avoid doing anything sensitive. This means staying away from bank accounts, online wallets, and any other sites that could be valuable to criminals.
Slightly Secured
It may be a good idea to choose a public wi-fi option that is a little more secure. You know the difference between a connection that is free for all and a connection that requires a password. You have probably noticed WiFi passwords on a coffee shop’s receipt or something like that. You want to try to use those connections over the connections that require no passwords and are just open to the public. All you are doing is minimizing the amount of people sharing the connection, which means you are a little safer.
Precautionary Steps
You know you are going to use public wi-fi at some point. It may be a good idea to take a few precautionary steps to keep the information on your computer safe by changing your file sharing settings. You should do this at home when you are connected to a trusted network. Turn off file sharing, and turn on built-in firewalls. Those with Macs may need to change their AirDrop options to ensure that only contacts can use this feature. Be sure that your Internet at home is secure as well. Check out several NBN plans before choosing.
HTTPS Enforced
HTTPS secures sites and the information that flows in or out of that particular site. It ensures that any information sent to you or that you sent is encrypted, which means anyone snooping will not be able to decipher the information being exchanged. Many sites use this type of encryption technology, and you need to take advantage of it when you are out and about. There are a number of add-ons or apps that you can download to ensure that any site that supports HTTPS security redirects you to the secured version of their site. This helps keep you safer when you are using a shared network.
Consider VPNs
Another good idea is to use VPN services when you are out and about. You can talk to your NBN representative to help you find a trustworthy VPN that you can take with you. These services offer a clout of protection when you are using a network that is not trusted. The point of these services is to encrypt all information you are sharing with a particular network. This means that potential hackers are not going to be able to see your private information. Yes, using this particular type of technology slows down your connection but will keep you safe.
Identity theft is a very real threat and can cause you a real headache, so it is much better to be safe than sorry. Taking some of these additional precautions when you are using a shared network may be time-consuming, but you are just trying to be wise and prevent issues.
