Is there any risk in using Bitcoin over Public WiFi ?

[apoorvlathey]

We all know that it is not advisable to use e-banking, credit/debit cards, etc over public WiFi as the information can be misused by the hackers.
Is there any chance that the same can happen if we make bitcoin transactions over public WiFi ?
I assume due to high security measures in bitcoin, it is not possible. Am I correct ?

[Holliday]

Broadcasting a transaction (which has to be public by it's very nature) with public wifi is perfectly fine.

Connecting any computer with private keys to any network is always a security risk.

[shorena]

We all know that it is not advisable to use e-banking, credit/debit cards, etc over public WiFi as the information can be misused by the hackers.
Is there any chance that the same can happen if we make bitcoin transactions over public WiFi ?

Unless you use an online wallet, no. even in case of a full MITM, the signed transaction is publicly available. The worst that can happen is that you are fed false information (sybil attack) or that your transaction is withheld from the rest of the network (DoS).

I assume due to high security measures in bitcoin, it is not possible. Am I correct ?

No, its because the sensetive information do not leave your machine, it has little to do with the scenario you describe. If you are worried about the bank stuff, use a VPN you trust (works with bitcoin aswell) and/or check SSL certificates (not needed for bitcoin, unless you use an online wallet).

Broadcasting a transaction (which has to be public by it's very nature) with public wifi is perfectly fine.

Connecting any computer with private keys to any network is always a security risk.

A local network should not be trusted anyway, esp. if its unknown. If thats your default setting, you should fix that. Thats a general issue though and not related to bitcoin.

[Herbert2020]

The only thing that anyone on that network (for example a hacker) can see is that you are using bitcoin (for example when you start your bitcoin wallet and connect) and in case there is a man in the middle he can see the transaction and that is already public knowledge as soon as you broadcast it.

with credit card however the information you type in the sites such as card number, CVV2, password,... are secret information that an attacker can use.

[shorena]

The only thing that anyone on that network (for example a hacker) can see is that you are using bitcoin (for example when you start your bitcoin wallet and connect) and in case there is a man in the middle he can see the transaction and that is already public knowledge as soon as you broadcast it.

with credit card however the information you type in the sites such as card number, CVV2, password,... are secret information that an attacker can use.

... if they are able to make you trust a false certificate. Which is more complex than a simple MITM. Its commonly used in many companies, but they also own the hardware so they install a pre-trusted root certificate that can sign their fake ones.

[20kevin20]

Using it over a WiFi isn't a problem, but do not use it on public computers and do not share your private key. If someone spies on the connection, they can steal sensitive info about your wallet and you don't want that to happen...

[shorena]

Using it over a WiFi isn't a problem, but do not use it on public computers and do not share your private key. If someone spies on the connection, they can steal sensitive info about your wallet and you don't want that to happen...

What sensitive info are you talking about?

[crwth]

Using it over a WiFi isn't a problem, but do not use it on public computers and do not share your private key. If someone spies on the connection, they can steal sensitive info about your wallet and you don't want that to happen...

I didn't quite understand what you said about using a public wifi for transactions through Bitcoin. Do you need to share your private key when using it? I don't think you don't need to. About the sensitive information about your wallet, I don't think it has sensitive information (only private keys I guess? If you decided to input it) that's the beauty of Bitcoin, you don't need to hand out real information about you.

[Dahhi]

Is it not possible for the hacker to see your password as you're typing it into electrum for instance and isn't there a way he could find out your wallet seed?

[shorena]

Using it over a WiFi isn't a problem, but do not use it on public computers and do not share your private key. If someone spies on the connection, they can steal sensitive info about your wallet and you don't want that to happen...

I didn't quite understand what you said about using a public wifi for transactions through Bitcoin. Do you need to share your private key when using it? I don't think you don't need to.

No, you never need to share your private key.

About the sensitive information about your wallet, I don't think it has sensitive information (only private keys I guess? If you decided to input it) that's the beauty of Bitcoin, you don't need to hand out real information about you.

I agree, it can be a possible privacy issue though. Someone eavesdropping on your connection can learn about the addresses you use and might even be able to connect that to a photo of yours.

Is it not possible for the hacker to see your password as you're typing it into electrum for instance and isn't there a way he could find out your wallet seed?

Not over the network, decryption is done locally. Shoulder surfing is always a risk when using a computer in public. You can mitigate that with a blanked though.

[Juggy777]

I don't think so there will be any issues unless you sign into a faulty site and that's not protected. I think all wallets and transaction are secured, there no need to really worry and if the hackers want to hack, they will figure a way out. I am using public WiFi most times faced no problems till date, hence can say there are no issues.

[maxdeielle]

I guess using public - WIFI is not that big deal or do not have a chance to the hacker to have your bitcoin using it.

I used and open my bitcoin and have transaction using public wifi yet there is no error or any signs of hacking my wallet then,
there is no risk on my part using Public WIFI.

[~Bitcoin~]

This is worth to check https://scotthelme.co.uk/advanced-session-hijacking/
Actually i think same types of attack can be done to access victims web wallet account as most of the them use traditional cache and session system to keep user logged in.

So i think accessing bitcoin web wallet over public wifi can be dangerous.

[chesatochi]

I check once a day my wallet over a wifi network without any trouble. I never had any security concern since I started utilizing my wallet on my phone, bitcoin in nature is already designed with security build in.

Don't worry and feel free to start using your wallet today on any Wifi network.

[btccashacc]

This is worth to check https://scotthelme.co.uk/advanced-session-hijacking/
Actually i think same types of attack can be done to access victims web wallet account as most of the them use traditional cache and session system to keep user logged in.

So i think accessing bitcoin web wallet over public wifi can be dangerous.

What, seriously i always loged in to my blockchain account over public wifi in my college, connected them directly without vpn or something that helps my connection secured  , but so far my account still safe though the password on blockchain is never shared with the blockchain server, well anyone can explain this? i am not a tech savy that's why i didn't quite understand about this, if it's true that there is a risk in using bitcoin over public wifi, thanks btw.

[TastyChillySauce00]

This is worth to check https://scotthelme.co.uk/advanced-session-hijacking/
Actually i think same types of attack can be done to access victims web wallet account as most of the them use traditional cache and session system to keep user logged in.

So i think accessing bitcoin web wallet over public wifi can be dangerous.

What, seriously i always loged in to my blockchain account over public wifi in my college, connected them directly without vpn or something that helps my connection secured  , but so far my account still safe though the password on blockchain is never shared with the blockchain server, well anyone can explain this? i am not a tech savy that's why i didn't quite understand about this, if it's true that there is a risk in using bitcoin over public wifi, thanks btw.

That's actually right. stealing cache and then insert it into the hacker's browser and then the site will thinking that he's the same person as the original owner who has recently accessed his wallet. this trick often used on a various website that sometimes requires a premium account to do something. just download the cache, install it and you'll get the thing you need. simple as that

[Jet Cash]

I'd disagree with your basic premise that banking over public WiFi is unsafe. I do all my online banking over public WiFi ( McDonalds, library etc. ) and have fewer problems than when I was using Virgin cable. In fact I have no problems. My bank gives me a plastic card reader to access my account. To gain entry you need to
- Have the card reader associated with the account
- Have the card associated with the card reader
- know the PIN associated with the card
- know the account number associated with the card.

Unless you have all of those, you can't access the account.

With Bitcoin, you can reduce your exposure by separating payments and receipts, and keeping your main wallet offline.

[noictib]

We all know that it is not advisable to use e-banking, credit/debit cards, etc over public WiFi as the information can be misused by the hackers.
Is there any chance that the same can happen if we make bitcoin transactions over public WiFi ?
I assume due to high security measures in bitcoin, it is not possible. Am I correct ?

Ofcourse not , Because in credit card or some online banking there are some special codes uses by us like cvv code , pin code like things which makes risk for us when these are steal by the hacker .
But in Bitcoin their is private key which cannot be exposed by the wallet through WiFi networks .
So in my opinion there is no risk to use Bitcoin transaction over wifi network .

[davis196]

We all know that it is not advisable to use e-banking, credit/debit cards, etc over public WiFi as the information can be misused by the hackers.
Is there any chance that the same can happen if we make bitcoin transactions over public WiFi ?
I assume due to high security measures in bitcoin, it is not possible. Am I correct ?

There is a risk of a computer using public Wi-fi to be hacked.

If the PC is hacked,the hackers might gain acess to online btc wallet account paswords and other

important information.

[cho99]

if you can't take the risk of using public WIFI maybe you should use the mobile 3G or 4G data i don't think it will take much data from you if you are trying to save it because in your country that is expensive