8 Dangers of Public Wi-Fi

Thankfully, all hope is not lost. You just need to get educated on the most prevalent risks of using public Wi-Fi to learn how to dodge unwanted guests.

Public unencrypted Wi-Fi connections leave you vulnerable, as hackers can use malicious software to snoop on your internet traffic or even hijack your online session.

Logging into private accounts usually requires an authentication token that proves your identity, but session hijackers can steal this token to take over your account without needing your password.

Another tactic is intercepting your session cookies, which are used to keep you logged into accounts even after closing the website. If the intruders are successful, they’ll be able to perform multiple malicious actions like stealing your personal data to commit identity theft, transfer money, spread malware, and modify your accounts’ settings.

While snooping around, experienced hackers can obtain enough information about your online behavior, interests, and other personal traits to successfully impersonate you. Once your identity has been stolen, criminals can easily commit fraud by opening credit card accounts, filing for government benefits, or applying for loans.

Additionally, your personal data might be sold on the dark web for other hackers to exploit or used to blackmail you, with the threat of exposing your information in exchange for a ransom.

Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks are performed by a malicious third entity that gets between your device and the server it’s connecting to. This allows hackers to eavesdrop on or manipulate the exchanged information without your knowledge.

Whether you are disclosing personal data to your bank or emailing medical documents to a family member, these attackers can easily see it all through public Wi-Fi interception, and ARP or DNS spoofing.

Through MITM attacks, hackers can gather the necessary information to conduct social engineering threats, such as:

• Email phishing: The attacker sends fraudulent emails impersonating entities like banks and social security services to trick users into providing sensitive information.
• Spear phishing: A more sophisticated type of phishing attack where the fraudster gathers data about an individual or organization to create a personalized message that seems credible and legitimate.
• Whaling: The attacker targets high-profile individuals, like CEOs or politicians.
• Vishing: The criminal uses stolen private phone numbers to make phone calls impersonating trusted organizations, such as government agencies, in order to deceive people into revealing sensitive information.
• Smishing: Stolen private phone numbers are used to send fraudulent text messages (SMS) that often include malicious links to steal your data. The most popular tactic is impersonating delivery carriers.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to restrict user access to a device or data, with the hacker demanding a ransom for its release. For example, an attacker could launch a locker ransomware attack by exploiting a malicious Wi-Fi hotspot at a coffee shop.

Other types of ransomware include scareware, crypto-ransomware, leakware, and ransomware-as-a-service – all of which work by blackmailing the victim.

Once hackers intercept your connection via a public Wi-Fi, they can inject malicious code into the data stream with convincing pop-ups branded as legitimate software. The objective is to lure you into downloading malware onto your device by tricking you into thinking it’s a genuine alert.

If you fall into this trap, the intruder will be able to monitor your sessions, block your accounts for ransom, conduct cryptojacking, or even infect other devices with viruses.

Sometimes, hackers deploy fake Wi-Fi hotspots posing as legitimate networks with reputable names and good signal strengths. These hotspots may look unsuspecting but once connected to them, the intruder behind this scheme gains full access to your private information and accounts.

Not even your job is safe when hackers intercept your personal details through public Wi-Fi. Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams involve impersonating company employees and exploiting the relationships between them and business partners to steal money or information.

In some cases, this can escalate to the point where intruders gain direct access to a business’s network, allowing them to send further malicious emails from legitimate accounts. This type of scam can be extremely destructive to a business, causing significant financial losses and costly recovery efforts.

While the best option is to avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi altogether and use mobile data instead, sometimes there’s really no alternative. In those cases, users should take these measures to ensure the safety of their connection:

Despite all these suggestions, using a VPN is the best way to protect yourself while using public Wi-Fi. For example, PC Matic VPN is a wallet-friendly option with apps for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. It protects your connections with high-speed servers in over 50 countries and supports up to five simultaneous connected devices.

Plus, PC Matic VPN has discounts of up to 66.3% and a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a go-to option to safeguard your online activities, even when connected to unsecured public Wi-Fi hotspots.

While it’s true that the digital landscape can be scary to navigate, especially considering the dangers of public Wi-Fi connections, there is light at the end of the (encrypted) tunnel. By being mindful of suspicious emails and websites, using strong passwords, and getting thorough protection from a VPN and internet security suite, you can significantly reduce the risk of being hacked. Remember, a little caution goes a long way, so stay vigilant and informed, and you’ll stay safe.