Public Wi-Fi is Public

Help protect systems and information by not working on sensitive activities or data while connected to public Wi-Fi networks.

The Problem…

All too often, people believe that public wi-fi, such as those available on trains, in cafes and hotels or guest wifi in client offices, is safe to use.

• But public wi-fi services are inherently insecure.
• You have no idea who has access to the network or whether it has already been compromised from a security perspective.
• It is easy for hackers to setup fake, look-a-like wi-fi hotspots that look like the more common public services and trick people into connecting;
• And anything you do on a public wi-fi service could be monitored, intercepted and hacked for malicious purposes.

The Defense…

It is really simple to defend against the risks posed by public wi-fi issues.

• To start with – don’t trust public wi-fi. Full stop!
• Never perform sensitive activities, such as online banking, emailing personal data or working on sensitive cloud based documents or services over public wi-fi;
• Assume that the activities you do perform can be monitored, including the data you send and receive;
• Instead of using public wi-fi services use your own mobile phone 3g, 4g or 5g service tethered to any non-mobile devices you need to use;
• If you really must use public wi-fi, for example because of poor mobile reception, look at making use of a virtual private network, or VPN, to secure your communications.