Is Public Wi-Fi Actually Safe?

With more of us working remotely now, coffee shops are getting busier again as we look for somewhere other than home to work.

But while going to a coffee shop can be great for getting rid of distractions, it’s not so good for security.

That’s because public Wi-Fi is a hotspot for data theft. Any data sent over public Wi-Fi that doesn’t need a password to access is vulnerable to theft or manipulation from someone else using that network. 

And it’s not just other Wi-Fi traffic you need to consider. There are also fake networks to be wary of. You think you’re connecting to the coffee shop’s Wi-Fi … but how do you know it isn’t a phony version with the same name?

As soon as you log on, they can suck up all your credentials and any other personal data on your device.

If your team uses public Wi-Fi regularly, the best practice is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to keep your data safe.

What is a VPN?

A VPN is a service that encrypts all of a device’s internet traffic and routes it through an intermediary server in a location of the user’s choosing. A VPN grants numerous benefits to users and is particularly useful to people who use public Wi-Fi while traveling for work or fun.

Anyone who happens to intercept internet traffic between the smartphone or laptop and the VPN server won’t be able to decipher its contents, including Wi-Fi hackers.

Dishonest individuals are continually finding clever new ways to exploit technology for their personal gain. As always, think before you connect to keep your data safe.

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at MSP Marketing Edge.