We use free Wi-Fi in subways, cafes, shopping malls, hotels and airports. After all, it is very simple and convenient, but unfortunately completely unsafe in terms of digital hygiene. We will tell you what consequences connecting to the free Internet can lead to.
According to international antivirus company ESET, 74% of Russians regularly connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots. It was revealed that 66% of respondents correspond on social networks, 43% scroll through news, 24% check their emails, and 10% use banking applications or buy something online. At the same time, one in five respondents prefers to exchange data via voice and video communications without worrying about protecting the transmitted traffic.
The truth is that public Wi-Fi hotspots can be used by cybercriminals for phishing attacks. To steal confidential information, attackers create fake access points that closely resemble the real ones, such as cafes or shopping malls. The user connects and transfers data in unencrypted form without any hesitation; This only falls into the hands of hackers.
By hijacking traffic, criminals can access not only personal messages, emails and files, but also passwords and even bank accounts.
There is also the risk of falling victim to clandestine cryptocurrency mining. Moreover, this can happen in a cafe or at the airport. One of the indirect signs may be the low performance of the smartphone processor. Therefore, the best option to maintain digital hygiene is to use your own internet.
Source: People Talk
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
