Whenever and wherever we get free internet access, we connect, often forgetting to consider whether logging into a public network is safe or not. This is despite the fact that public WiFi networks are where attackers often try to steal users’ personal information.
However, there are a few ways to avoid this to ensure your privacy and data is protected.
But before that, you should know about the data traps hackers set up for users connected to public WiFi.
Top 3 Risks of Using Free Public Wi-Fi
Using public WiFi is like having a conversation in a public place. People can overhear you and misuse the information you share — unless you take the right precautions.
#1. Information Shared on Public Network
The information you share over public WiFi in text form can be accessed by anyone else on the network with just a few simple software tools. These tools can easily steal your passwords and other private, identifying information. This is why using the same password to access multiple accounts could lead to drastic consequences.
#2. Honeypot WiFi Hotspots
Some WiFi hotspots are created by hackers themselves as a trap. So, before you connect to any Public WiFi network, it’s essential to verify its security and origin.
#3. Stolen Browser Cookies
A hacker who is continuously monitoring your WiFi traffic can easily access your browser cookies and take over an open session you have on a social media or banking website. This lets them steal your identity and thus your accounts on these sites, and misuse your private information.
Security issues like these will likely increase as public Wi-Fi becomes increasingly common. But that doesn’t mean you have to stay away from free Wi-Fi. The vast majority of hackers go after easy targets, so taking a few precautions will keep you safe.
What’s the Most Secure Way to Access Free WiFi?
Many open, public WiFi networks use the WPA Personal security protocol, where a single password is used by all users to connect. This protocol leaves networks much more vulnerable to hacks than those with WPA Enterprise security, where each user connects via a unique password.
To access more than two million WiFi locations with Enterprise-level security, download the WEROAM app. This free, global WiFi network federation is also one of the first to implement WiFi OpenRoaming, meaning all internet connections made at the network’s 2 million+ locations are automatic after a single initial login. This enables continuous and secure WiFi connectivity even while traveling.
While users roam, the app also lets them collect mPoints, which will become available to stake for ROAM tokens after the project’s IDO in 2024. WiFi hosts can also earn mPoints by either deploying a WEROAM WiFi miner or adding their own router’s WiFi network to WEROAM via the app. While WEROAM miners can earn triple the rewards of other routers, mPoint yields are also proportionate to the strength and traffic of the given network.
WEROAM miner
WEROAM Protocol
WEROAM implements a DID (decentralized ID) and VC (verifiable credentials)-based data exchange model that lets users manage and verify their WiFi credentials via blockchain in order to maintain complete control over their identifying data. Since DIDs are verified on and stored by a blockchain, WEROAM WiFi users keep their private login information off third-party databases and away from centralized servers.
This data management protocol also offers a foundation on which future Web3 applications and the Metaverse can be built, incorporating DID-based technology which guarantees user security, verifiability, and privacy.