Unsecured WiFi

[carlisle1]

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.

just dont open your important details on public wifi.and make sure that all your accounts dont have the same password so if one is hacked the others will keep safe.i also open sometimes on public wifi but i only open some google sites but but not those important account specially my wallet.i only open it when i was in a very secured places like home.

[Phalo]

I guess the answer is hell noo, its far too risky. I think only people who are tech savvy can take such risks. Even though even for them it might not be worth it. Fortunately I don't store a whole lot of coins on my desktop. They are just not safe. Its better to invest in a hardware wallet.

[rathaha10]

It can be hacked i heard a story here on this forum who lost a lot of coins just because he entered in a unsecure wifi when he was on holiday with his phone. So i think that it would be possible that you could be hacked if you have no good firewall on it with a few virus scanners.

[TTITA]

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.

It surely can, we find a lot of wifi networks in many mall, stalls, restaurant, etc.
When you are connected to a network, the most important thing is whether it is safe or not? how to know it is obviously very difficult, so it takes self-protection.
To create self-protection will needed some installed programs such as antivirus, antikeylogger, trojan killer, etc.
But sometimes it's not enough, because I've also worked in a network system, where as netsys admin we are entering into someone's computer with remote computer access and copy important data from the computer, it could be important files such as your bitcoins backup wallet.

[PORN_coin]

as i see it it isnt possible )
otherwise many people would already be affected

[coinsontheroad]

After going through this thread, I don't even connect to public wi fi anymore. I just tether from my cell phone. I was out this morning and was logged into some sensitive accounts, trading platform, etc... I have more trust in using my cellular with a VPN of course.

[ashfer]

It is never safe to use a public wifi as the person controlling the public wifi will have access to what ever you are using through their network and it is easy for them to get you user name and password and your system will get hacked by the one controlling the public wifi as most of the public wifi's are never safeto use for any kind of personal information or transactions especially when you are using btc it is always best to use your own network so that you don't end up loosing your btc.

[whoisyourking]

I am a computer engineering major student and we are creating this kind of app and system for restaurant and hotels for their wifi hotspot this app allows to store history log of the users who are connected to their router. Yes you are vulnerable to hacking if you are connected to unsecured wifi hotspot.  you can bring your own pocket wifi for safety and to secure your wallet.

[cleygaux]

The possible scenario which your bitcoin wallet maybe hacked when connecting in public wifi is that if you are connected and youre system has penetrated by a malware and this malware scans youre saved files or documents it automatically sends the information into the hackers email add my advise is store your private keys in a separate flashdrive instead of saving it on your laptops harddrive.

[Kurokyy]

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.

There is a high chance that your wallet being hacked if you log in into a public unsecured wifi. Hackers can easily inject some virus or malware to your pc or laptop to steal some of your info. Bring your own source of wifi like pocket wifi or tether hotspot into your phone. Be careful as always even if it is only a small amount of btc

[Nerman]

As far as I know when you are connected to wi-fi you are basically part of its network whatever device you use. When you are part of the network people who are knowledgeable can easily go and see your device.  So just to be safe avoid connecting to a public and unsecured wi-fi.

[KingOfWinterfell01]

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.

I'm pretty sure everything is not safe specially an unsecured wifi hotspot. The UNSECURED would've gave it away of how safe those things are. Just don't do it, man. If you really do value your life's work, you wouldn't risk placing your coins in danger by connecting to an UNSECURED wifi hotspot. Play it safe and keep on using your own WiFi.

[aimata27]

Absolutely yes! Let's say the WIFI that you logged on is not the legitimate network itself, let's say that it is a fake WIFI that is set by the hackers, once you logged on this fake WIFI there's really a big chance that all of your information will be stolen. Malware will be sent straight directly to your device and voila, you've been hacked without you even knowing it.

[Reatim]

Yes. Unsecured WIFI posed a threat to our wallet security so never ever try to do open your wallet using a public unsecured WIFI. If you would remember there was one wallet who has latter found out that is transmitting plain text over the internet. And its very vulnerable. Imaging using a unsecured WIFI which everyone can see your transaction in plain text!!!
There are many attack vectors that a hacker can exploit. And we all know that hackers are really targeting crypto because of the money involved. They are getting desperate and bolder on their attack. So don't give them a chance. So I advise not to used WIFI that is public and unsecured.

[Dudeperfect]

I won't recommend using public wifi even if you don't have (less or) any funds in your Bitcoin wallet because you never know anyone can pull the data from your device and misuse it. However, If I am not wrong then I think there is some kind of encryption feature available in hardware wallets like Trezor where private keys are never exposed even while making the transaction so if you are concerned about the security of your funds then it is a better option to throw some amount for smart devices.

[taiwww]

 It is always unsafe to use wifi at public places. It is quiet easy for an hacker to hack your mobile or laptop if you are using wifi at public places. Firstly do not use open wifi network for making any online payment. Do not click on cookies or unauthorised/unknown link. Always keep your password protected. Use updated antivirus and firewall. Keep your wifi connection password protected. For more safety use your mobile data or your home internet connection.

[Davidbugs2]

Yes according to my personal experiance it can be dangerous and your wallet can be hacked due to insecure wifi.

[appleyard]

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.

Connecting to unsecured public hotspot is so risky there is a lot of system that can apply to router and record all your activity including your bitcoin transaction. Best way to do is bring your own pocket wifi or use your mobile internet if you are making transaction with your wallet.

[Jet Cash]

I think it is perfectly safe to use public WiFi. In fact it may be safer than using your WiFi at home. At least the public providers check for known malware installers on sites that you visit. Have a look at some of the hippy sites, if you want to know how to hack into domestic Wifi. Cable connections are also a risk. All the traffic on your bit of the cable network passes through your router, you can harvest the lot if you are so minded. You are more at risk if you use Windows without removing Cortana and other keylogging software. An on-line wallet is yet another major risk in my opiniom.

I believe that the biggest risk you will find in running a full node over public Wifi is that it won't allow you to open the Bitcoin port, or to accept inbound connections. After all, people post their Bitcoin addresses all over the net, and they don't have any problems from this public display.

The other advantage of using public WiFi is that you get all sorts of offers of free coffee and free meals, and reduced price fuel amongst other things.

[aeternus]

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} 

True, this is why many people never realize why they lose their coins, they do not realize the high risk actions they take everyday, if you care about maintaining your coins in your possession you need to be extremely cautious about where you connect your computer and where you login into your accounts.