How can you keep your data secure when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks?

Many public places such as cafes, hotels, airports, libraries, and others provide public Wi-Fi networks that allow you to connect to the internet quickly and easily. Although useful, these networks are available to anyone, and the data transmitted through them is not secure, unlike the Wi-Fi network available in your home or workplace. Therefore, you should take some precautions when connecting to these networks to ensure the protection of your personal data and avoid electronic breaches.

How to keep your data safe when connected to public Wi-Fi networks?

Here are some tips you can follow to keep your data safe when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks:

1-Check the network's reliability:

Let's say you're at the airport and you open the available Wi-Fi network list and see a network named "Free Airport Wi-Fi." You immediately connect to it, thinking it's the official network provided by the airport. But how can you make sure this network is actually provided by the airport? It's possible that someone created this network to make people think it's affiliated with the airport, so they use it and steal their data. That's why it's important to check the reliability of the network before connecting to it.

This may be difficult sometimes if there is a long list of available free networks with similar names. However, most airports have signs indicating their official free Wi-Fi network name, and this applies to many other public places where they display their official network name. This will help you ensure that you are connecting to the right network.

2- Avoid entering sensitive information:

Many public Wi-Fi networks require you to enter information before using them, such as your email address or phone number. If you're concerned that the place providing the Wi-Fi network will store or use your information for marketing purposes, enter a secondary email address.

Some networks may also require you to set up a password for use, in which case don't use the same password as any other personal accounts. And while connecting to public networks, avoid entering sensitive information, such as passwords and banking details.

3- Disconnect from the network after you finish using it:

When connecting to a public Wi-Fi network, your device may automatically reconnect to it when you return to the same place, and while the network may be secure, things can change from one visit to another, so disconnect from the network when you finish using it and adjust your device settings so that it does not automatically connect to previously used networks.

4- Use a VPN:

Even if you're sure the public Wi-Fi network you're connecting to is secure, there's an additional step you can take to help protect your information, which is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

VPNs maintain the privacy and security of your information by encrypting your data, which is useful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, which are often unencrypted, and when using a VPN, it makes it difficult for anyone trying to use that network to steal the data you send and receive. In addition, private networks hide your IP address and geographic location, helping to maintain your privacy.

5- Use your phone data:

Connecting to the internet through your phone data is more secure than using a public Wi-Fi network. If you want to connect your computer to the internet, you can use the hotspot feature on your phone, but make sure to secure it with a complex password so that no one can easily access it.