Unsecured WiFi

[GreenBits]

Just keep all your passwords safe and do not expose them when you are connected. Hackers can steal your information through sites you have visited, which they can then take the site's cookies and possibly get your passwords and other information.  

Make sure you disable any form of sharing of files through your internet. Use a VPN to encrypt your data, and try not to access sites that are important to you, e.g. Online wallets, bank accounts.

I would not connect to an unsecured WiFi if there is something important on your laptop if I were you, but if you really have to, take the above precautions. Stay safe! To answer your question, I am not sure, but it is possible as you may leak your desktop wallet passwords or private keys accidentally.

You also have to be careful about having files copied off of your hard drive if you are hosting said unsecured network. if you are behind a firewall or if your data is encrypted, ou will most likely be fine. but the average persons online security and knowledge thereof is woefully lax; I have actually encountered modems with the default admin/password credential pair at gamestops, certain libraries, and mom and pop restaurants that dont know any better.


and dude, never connect to airport wifi. its like having sex with everyone else that connected to the airport wifi  

[Jet Cash]

I've been running a full node over public WiFi since I joined Bitcoin Talk, and I've never had any problems.

I'm using Windows 10 for various reasons, and I hate it. I ran an alternative node under Ubuntu as well, and I've never had problems with either.
You will have some difficulties. Your node can only accept outbound connections, most public sites don't allow inbound connections. You will also find that some locations will not allow you to use port 8333 - supermarkets and libraries for example. When synchronising your node, make sure you minimise the display so that it is not on public display. The netbook I use for the Ubuntu node uses an external SSD, and I should probably move my wallet onto that as well. When you go to the loo, don't leave core running.

Some other points - don't try to download the blockchain, it will take you a couple of weeks. Try to synchronise the blockchain every day, that is usually fairly fast. WiFi can be fairly spotty at some locations, but core seems to be fairly resiliant and recovers if you shut it down and restart.

[yoseph]

its up to you how you set up your wifi connection i think the solution is do not give your wifi password in everyone keep it safe
dont show every where

When you are using an unsecured WiFi, you open yourself up to being hacked and that's not really a wise thing to do. One must make sure that they are using the highest security when connected through the WiFi and using a VPN also helps with security when connected to an unsecured wifi.

[xBitHodler]

No, they shouldn't be able to access your data unless your computer is configured so. If you travel a lot I recommend you to buy a VPN. It will increase your security when you are connected to public WiFi network. Try to think about buying a hardware wallet. Ledger Nano S is quite small so it could fit in your pocket. Less risk that someone will steal your crypto.

[PeRo]

I do not think that your wallet will be compromised at a cafe or hotel wifi and I do not think that the hacker would know about Bitcoinc unless he is waiting for that. Just do not connect to unknown (private) Wi - fi hotspots and you will be alright.

[Bounty_Hunter]

In theory, if your wallet is not reliable, then attackers can steal your secret keys and passwords. So better do not risk and do not use questionable Wi-Fi.

[FasTroy]

It is possible for hacker to hack your computer by injecting some virus in your laptop through WiFi. It is better to use a hardware wallet if you are connecting to unsecure WiFi often.

Edit: Typo, it should be computer instead of hardware wallet

Right! your point a view is correct. Hackers can steal your bitcoin if you save your private keys in your PC. So never do that, and avoid to open your wallet using Unsecured WiFi. Hardware wallets is a good option to secure your coins.

[Slark]

The general rule of thumb - if you don't need your BTC to available for you all the time there is no need to expose your coins to a threat like this.
The more potential problems you can encounter the higher probability that something will go wrong. Why risk it?
The better option would be to store some small part of your BTC on your mobile device and keep rest of it safely stored at home.

[d1ceplayer]

If you are unsure with the public WiFi where you connect, much better not to connect in it or use VPN to be secure. There are lots of hackers nowadays and sometimes, they are copying the name of the Public WiFi and using their own WiFi with Key Logger to hack accounts of people who connected to them. Be extra careful and vigilant. Bitcoin price is very high.

Yes it is safe to use own wifi but if a person is having a problem in his internet and go for a public wifi then not a big deal, just be sure to keep your wallet offline, be keen about investment and don't let anyone to access your account.

Firstly it is not easy to hack bitcoin account but precautions are better than cure so be safe and be sure about your wallet

[sgenuine]

This is a hypothetical question. I am wondering, can my desktop wallet be hacked if I log into an unsecured WiFi hotspot even if I do not log into my bitcoin desktop wallet? I am wondering because I travel a lot, and when travelling I sometimes log into coffee shop WiFi hotspots. I don't keep a lot of funds on the desktop but I'm wondering about this.

Do not you know that you must not (!) use any unsafe Wi-Fi connection, especially when you deal with cryptocurrency?  You can be easily hacked and the keys can be stolen without any effort of hackers! Check your computer with Antivirus program now - do it urgently.

And always use VPN!

[Cosbycoin]

The safest way to save the coin on the ledger wallet.
If you save Private key, Phase should use external memory, so hackers can hardly reach your data.

Having the wallet is the different thing as the bitcoin price and the value increasing all the time people use to buy the bitcoin and then holding for the long time I hope it will increase the value and the price of the bitcoin more and more.

There are a lot of the wallet in the market now and all the people are holding the bitcoin in the wallet to secure the value and he profit of the money I hope this will make the bitcoin more valuable.

[aeternus]

Use 2 step verification and use VPN,
it helps you more secure  account.

If you care at all about security then you need to avoid to use wifi in your computer, wifi is very insecure you are never going to be able to secure your network enough to feel safe, so just use a wire and forget about all the security issues that come from using a wifi connection.

[n691309]

This is a hypothetical question. I am wondering, can my desktop wallet be hacked if I log into an unsecured WiFi hotspot even if I do not log into my bitcoin desktop wallet? I am wondering because I travel a lot, and when travelling I sometimes log into coffee shop WiFi hotspots. I don't keep a lot of funds on the desktop but I'm wondering about this.

Do not you know that you must not (!) use any unsafe Wi-Fi connection, especially when you deal with cryptocurrency?  You can be easily hacked and the keys can be stolen without any effort of hackers! Check your computer with Antivirus program now - do it urgently.

And always use VPN!

Unsecured Wi-Fi is one of the biggest problems when it comes to the transaction of payment using the digital currencies. According to the national report of KSN there are 24.7 percent of the Wi.Fi connections that have on setup for the encryption at all.

This means that they could be easily accessed by the use of an antenna scale .so one should be careful about the network type and its security because the Btc payment method is more vulnerable to hackers.

[Kprawn]

Do you know who is providing this service.... How much information goes through their proxies and what data is filtered and

logged? Why go through all that trouble and risk for a little bit of free data? I never use public WiFi for anything other than

doing updates or browsing the Net. {not secure sites} Yes, some might say https sites are not vulnerable, but I am not going

to take chances with things I cannot control. {I can access my equipment and none of my personal information is logged by

any middle man} 

[Jet Cash]

How many of you guys leave Cortana in your Windows systems. Cortana is Microsofts keyboard logger and data harvesting program. How about Bluetoothe - do you leave that enabled, and the near field connections. I send back any contactless credit or debit cards, but most people seem to be content to use them.

Packt Publishing have an ebook on Using Lali Linux for WiFi penetration testing. It's probably worth setting up an old netbook to explore this topic if you are really worried.

[wisdomcn]

You can connect you device to other WiFi, but always be sensitive when you all connected to internet avoid pop-up links. Always be sure of the link you click especially from your email and make sure you know the spelling of the website you want to visit when you are typing on your url.

[tulakill]

You have to be proactive in security. No organization will be responsible for your actions regarding bitcoin. So you have to help yourself. Be careful with anything online

[Vatimins]

This is a hypothetical question. I am wondering, can my desktop wallet be hacked if I log into an unsecured WiFi hotspot even if I do not log into my bitcoin desktop wallet? I am wondering because I travel a lot, and when travelling I sometimes log into coffee shop WiFi hotspots. I don't keep a lot of funds on the desktop but I'm wondering about this.

Well, honestly, i really do not think that getting into public wifi hotspots can really get your desktop wallets hacked. Well, that is, if you open them when you are connected to a public wifi hotspot. But even so, i suggest, that you just put your funds on a different device. A device that you don't use that often to connect to the internet. That way, you can breath a little lighter. But you can also buy cheap pocket wifis that only you can use. That would be much easier.

[Bitcoinislifer09]

This is a hypothetical question. I am wondering, can my desktop wallet be hacked if I log into an unsecured WiFi hotspot even if I do not log into my bitcoin desktop wallet? I am wondering because I travel a lot, and when travelling I sometimes log into coffee shop WiFi hotspots. I don't keep a lot of funds on the desktop but I'm wondering about this.

Don't use a wifi without a security, you must fix first  your security matter to you to have a safe transaction with bitcoin. So be careful to your account and in any sites that you visit.Turn off also your firewall.

[ipanks]

This is a hypothetical question. I am wondering, can my desktop wallet be hacked if I log into an unsecured WiFi hotspot even if I do not log into my bitcoin desktop wallet? I am wondering because I travel a lot, and when travelling I sometimes log into coffee shop WiFi hotspots. I don't keep a lot of funds on the desktop but I'm wondering about this.

as long as you can save your private keys and not giving the password to other people, you can feel safe. i think you can use another wallet if you want to protect your bitcoin and you can buy hardware wallet too that will give you more secure. i don't think that someone which have more than 3 btc will saving his bitcoin into desktop or android wallet because today the bitcoin price is not cheap. if you are connect with unsecured wifi hotspot then you might be need to activate your antivirus so if there is any intruder that want to hack your computer, the antivirus can give protection to you computer.