That Free Wi-Fi Network May Not Be the Real One
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Free Wi-Fi is convenient. You can sit in a café, library, hotel, or airport, connect your phone or laptop, and get online without using your mobile data. The problem is that not every network name you see belongs to the business you’re sitting in.
Someone nearby can create a Wi-Fi network with a name that looks convincing. If the café is called Harbour Café, for example, a network called “Harbour Cafe Free WiFi” might appear perfectly legitimate. Connecting to it could expose your activity to risks that you would not encounter on the business’s genuine network.
Before connecting, ask staff for the exact Wi-Fi name and whether you need a password. Don’t rely on a network name simply because it looks familiar. Some legitimate public networks also require you to accept terms or enter a code before you can use them.
Your phone may also remember networks you’ve connected to previously. Check your Wi-Fi settings occasionally and remove old networks you no longer use, particularly those belonging to hotels, cafés, and other public places.
Be particularly careful about what you do while connected to public Wi-Fi. Avoid entering sensitive information on unfamiliar websites, and never ignore your browser’s security warnings simply because you’re trying to get something done quickly.
For banking and other particularly sensitive tasks, using your mobile data connection can be a simpler option if you’re unsure about the network. Modern phones can also share their mobile connection with a laptop through a personal hotspot.
If you regularly use public Wi-Fi, make sure your phone, tablet, and computer are running current software. Security updates can address vulnerabilities that criminals could otherwise exploit.
You don’t need to become suspicious of every café’s Wi-Fi. Most public networks are perfectly legitimate and useful. The important habit is to verify the network before joining it rather than automatically choosing the strongest signal.
A free internet connection is handy, but the safest connection is the one you know you’re actually connecting to.
