In the digital age, protecting your data and privacy on public Wi-Fi is crucial, so we’ve gathered insights from eight cybersecurity experts and CEOs. From the fundamental step of using a trusted VPN to the savvy move of prioritizing HTTPS for secure browsing, our contributors provide a range of strategies to safeguard your information.
- Always Use a Trusted VPN Service
- Consider Wi-Fi Network Security
- Encrypt Data with a VPN
- Implement DNS Filtering Service
- Avoid Sensitive Transactions on Public Wi-Fi
- Enable Antivirus and Disable Auto-Connect
- Utilize VPN for Anonymized Traffic
- Prioritize HTTPS for Secure Browsing
Always Use a Trusted VPN Service
I use a VPN. Whenever I’m connecting to public Wi-Fi, I turn on my VPN before opening a web browser and using services that connect to anything remotely. I use a paid VPN service that I trust and open their app on my computer or phone before using the Wi-Fi network.
When you connect to a VPN, the VPN service becomes the one who can see your data and the sites you visit, instead of the network owner. A VPN doesn’t protect you so much as change who you have to trust. I don’t need to worry about the security of public Wi-Fi because I shift that trust to my VPN provider.
James Wilson
Personal Cybersecurity Expert, My Data Removal
Consider Wi-Fi Network Security
Something that most people don’t think about is the security of the Wi-Fi network, as poorly set-up infrastructure can be vulnerable to attack by a cybercriminal.
So before you connect, have a think about who operates the Wi-Fi network you are connecting to. Is it a local café that possibly runs home-grade equipment, or is it a government-provided service that is likely to be more robust against attack? Larger companies generally have to meet standards for cybersecurity, and as such, will take extra steps to secure their infrastructure against cyberattacks.
Mike Ouwerkerk
Fun, Engaging Cyber Security Awareness Trainer & Cultural Transformation Consultant, Web Safe Staff
Encrypt Data with a VPN
When using public Wi-Fi, one specific and effective privacy measure I take to protect my data is to use a Virtual Private Network, also called a VPN.
What is a VPN?
A VPN creates a secure tunnel between your device and the internet. It hides your data by encrypting it, which means it turns your information into a code that others can’t read. This is especially important when you’re on public Wi-Fi, where it’s easier for hackers to steal your data.
Benefits of Using a VPN on Public Wi-Fi:
1. Keeps Your Data Safe: The encryption keeps your emails, passwords, and other sensitive information secure from anyone else who might be using the same public Wi-Fi.
2. Hides Your Online Activity: With a VPN, your online actions are hidden. The websites you visit won’t be visible to others on the same public Wi-Fi.
3. Protects Your Privacy: Using a VPN means your physical location and IP address are also hidden. This makes it harder for companies and trackers to collect information about you based on your internet usage.
Easy Steps to Use a VPN:
• Choose a Trusted VPN Provider: Look for a VPN service with good reviews and a clear privacy policy that states they do not keep records of your activity.
• Turn It on Before Connecting to Wi-Fi: Ensure your VPN is turned on before you connect to a public Wi-Fi network. This is to ensure all your internet traffic is protected from the start.
• Use HTTPS: Even with a VPN, it is best to only visit websites that provide HTTPS connections. HTTPS further encrypts the data sent to and received from the website.
Chinyelu Karibi-Whyte
Cyber Security Consultant, Cyb-Uranus Limited
Implement DNS Filtering Service
When using public Wi-Fi, one key privacy measure I take is configuring my devices to use a DNS filtering service. By routing the internet traffic on my devices through a DNS firewall, I can significantly reduce the risks associated with connecting to open Wi-Fi networks, such as spoofing attacks through look-alike domains.
DNS filtering helps block spoofed websites that could intercept my sensitive data. This simple but effective step, along with features like encrypted DNS queries offered by many DNS filtering services, greatly mitigates the privacy risks associated with public Wi-Fi.
Ben Bozzay
Founder & Senior Fullstack Developer, Tech Lockdown
Avoid Sensitive Transactions on Public Wi-Fi
One of the most effective ways to protect data when using public Wi-Fi is by using a VPN. A VPN is the most secure method to prevent hackers from viewing and stealing your data, as it encrypts and scrambles your data, making it unreadable to anyone trying to view it.
A VPN protects your personal information, such as browsing history, login credentials, or sensitive information you send or receive. Another important aspect of browsing using public Wi-Fi is avoiding websites such as online banking or online shopping to ensure further protection.
Mia Naumoska
CMO, Internxt
Enable Antivirus and Disable Auto-Connect
Before connecting to the public Wi-Fi, I enable antivirus software on my device and turn off any automatic connection capabilities, like Bluetooth or file and printer sharing. This is the first and most crucial step I take, whether I am using a mobile device or a laptop.
To protect your device from malware, antivirus solutions identify it, isolate it, and then remove it. Additionally, unless I’m on a secure, reliable network, I stay away from accessing sensitive information, like online banking or inputting personal information.
Miranda Bence
CEO, CMO, Cherry Picks Reviews
Utilize VPN for Anonymized Traffic
As someone who’s been working in the security sector for years, I feel like I could share a few thoughts on the subject. While firewalls really do provide protection, one specific tactic I always employ for that added layer of safety is utilizing a VPN—a cliché answer, yes, but one that just works.
All network traffic accessing the internet is scrambled and anonymized when my connection is routed through an encrypted VPN tunnel. All of my data, including IP address, device details, browsing activity, and browsing history, stays hidden from other users of the network as well as from the Wi-Fi provider. Using a VPN prevents unprotected public connections from being snooped upon or exploited in a man-in-the-middle manner.
In light of this, I recommend to corporate clients that employees use VPNs when traveling or working remotely from hotels and cafes. After all, having customer data or intellectual property exposed on an insecure public network can be absolutely disastrous.
Yvonne Meredith
Marketing Manager, MJ Flood Security
Prioritize HTTPS for Secure Browsing
One critical step I take to enhance my data privacy on public Wi-Fi is to ensure that I only visit websites with HTTPS encryption.
This protocol, indicated by a padlock symbol in the browser’s address bar, signifies that the data exchanged between my device and the website is encrypted, making it much harder for cybercriminals to intercept and decipher this information.
By prioritizing HTTPS sites, I add an extra layer of security, safeguarding my personal and financial data from potential vulnerabilities inherent in public networks.
Amit Doshi
Founder & CEO, MyTurn
