[PSA]: FBI gives warning about using WIFI in Hotels

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

According to the recent advisory from FBI, it is advised that those who chooses to work on hotel to take advantage of a quiet place, but using the hotel's Wifi poses a threat to all of us.



https://www.ic3.gov/media/2020/201006.aspx

I myself have been doing this for years now, pre-pandemic, sometimes I will bring my family to a hotel in weekends and then do some work from there and uses their public Wifi. But I realized that it is very dangerous, and now that I involved myself in crypto more frequent, I would advise others as well to be careful.

[Charles-Tim]

We should know that accessing public WiFi connection is very dangerous, if not secure, it is not safe, hackers can use it to access someones device's sensitive information, we should depict public WiFi as insecure means of connecting online. Assuming you have your bitcoin wallet sensitive data or even banking details on your phone, or you save your password while accessing a website on browsers, all these can be compromised if the WiFi connection is not secure and not safe, and most likely that the connection is not safe and should not be trusted at all.

The means of connections are service provider, but due to some reasons which I can not begin to explain, it is not highly safe too, hackers can still try to hack someone's sensitive accounts that require because of knowing the IP address of the person, although, only in some cases. Also, the service provider providing the data connecrion can still access someone's privacy.

VPN is also good, but there are many VPN that keeps the log of users, but ExpressVPN has been the best so far,  VPN can be reputed but the VPN provider can still access someones privacy.

The best is to use Tor, it is slow but it is the best as the connection is proven to be secure and safe from any party.

[matchi2011]

I rather used my own data connection than connecting my device to the hotel public Wi-Fi there's always a big chance that my data can be tracked and that's what I'm always avoiding.

Knowing the potential that  my data will be exposed especially that I'm working my trading activities, I don't want to take the risk of getting into any trouble and be a victim of possible hacking.

[Coyster]

I will bring my family to a hotel in weekends and then do some work from there and uses their public Wifi.

The hotel or the host of the Wifi may not be scammers per se or have any intention to maliciously steal users data, but you can't be sure of their security practice and if they are really protecting their service from hackers, they could easily be breached and users of their services would be affected. That's why crypto users should always verify before using any service, and since it's not possible to verify how secure a public WiFi is, it's better not to use it.

I choose the option of always taking responsibility of my own security and data, even if your wallet and funds are not in the device connected to a public WiFi, hackers can also get other informations about you, and attack using any of them, for example, email phishing, ransomware or even personal information that can lead to you been tracked and a $5 wrench attack, becomes a possibility after getting your data or compromising your device.

[Bitcoin_Arena]

I never always think of using Public WiFi for the same security reasons. I ensure that even when traveling, all my internet bundles activated and are enough for me to use throughout the period. With the presence of very capable mobile devices that can act as Internet WiFi Hotspots for your laptop or Tablet such as MiFis and Smartphones, I don't get it why people still use public WiFi. Yes, it may be free or cheap but is it worth risking your privacy or sensitive data in your device?

[yazher]

I never tried to used one because if I am out of town, I rather used my data than to use some public wifi that I don't know the source. If you live in our city and go to the town, if you try to open your wifi there are lots of public wifi to choose from. I wonder what in the world is going on but for the sake of my own security, I never tried it. Most of the people who are sitting in the plaza are actually using that public wifi to play their favorite online games, That might be suited for them but for us who have some sort of crypto wallet on our phone, that is not recommended ever.

[stompix]

With the presence of very capable mobile devices that can act as Internet WiFi Hotspots for your laptop or Tablet such as MiFis and Smartphones, I don't get it why people still use public WiFi.

Hihi, speaking of hotspots, I was once at in a restaurant and my friend was having problems with his normal data connection and the location wifi was crap so I made a hotspot for him, not knowing what name to put on from the first second when thinking I realized it's perfect time to make an experiment so I named my hotspot the same name as the restaurant without the "free" but nevertheless let it opened for everybody. In one hour I hade some 5-6 device connecting with around 200 MB worth of data consumed, and that is probably 20 tables(?) 40-50 customers during that time.
There are probably a lot of people with small data plans that try to save every tiny bit, and they don't think twice before accessing one.

I'm willing to bet that if you want to spay on people restaurant or packed hotels as well s beaches are pretty targets, the only inconvenience might be the range and thus the area covered.

[BIT-BENDER]

Am curious to know why did you take your family to a hotel making using the hotel's wifi as part of the reason, I would not want to say its the only reason? And I don't think quit or serenity is the answer your home is more private than a hotel. Some reason I can think of why people do it where I am is
+ access to stable power
+ access to stable internet connection
+ thinking you making a fast move on spending less on data.

But rationalizing all and every reason with thought to the vulnerable affect on you then you know it has actually all along been un-benefical. TBH I haven't heard of such warning by the FBI  I think they might encourage it so as to track suspects.

[mu_enrico]

Sadly, when I'm in the (various) hotel, 99% of the time, the signal was so weak, which made the cellphone practically unusable. There's no option other than using this free wifi. I did use a paid VPN as I couldn't see what other available options besides this TOR/VPN stuff. Ideas/solutions would be appreciated.

[taufik123]

Hihi, speaking of hotspots, I was once at in a restaurant and my friend was having problems with his normal data connection and the location wifi was crap so I made a hotspot for him, not knowing what name to put on from the first second when thinking I realized it's perfect time to make an experiment so I named my hotspot the same name as the restaurant without the "free" but nevertheless let it opened for everybody. In one hour I hade some 5-6 device connecting with around 200 MB worth of data consumed, and that is probably 20 tables(?) 40-50 customers during that time.
There are probably a lot of people with small data plans that try to save every tiny bit, and they don't think twice before accessing one.

More precisely, it saves the data package you have. If there is open Wifi and that is great, of course most people will choose the Wifi without having to think anymore. But for the risks that can be caused by using Wifi Pyblik it will indeed be very dangerous for the security of our own privacy. Some open wifi is safe enough, but some are also quite dangerous and may be used as a trap to carry out the Snifing Method by stealing every detail of data that can be accessed from the public wifi.

I sometimes use public wifi when I find it, but when I realize that there will be many risks, I better use my cellular card data plan which is certainly safer.

Many people are still unaware and don't know about the abuse and risks that can occur with the Public wifi they use.

[erikoy]

Fortunately I am not fan of staying in hotels. For me it is just a waste of money and usually their service is not that good compared to when you are at home working while doing some relaxation. Home is the best place to stay.

But if I could get.into that place then I think I will still be comfortable for they can't take anything from me. Anyway, I could share somehow this information to my friends and I will be thankful on this being shared here. Yes, highee chances thay network.connection could compromise the security system of the device and that would be a big problem.

[NavI_027]

Yes, it may be free or cheap but is it worth risking your privacy or sensitive data in your device?

Some people are taking advantage of open hotspots then what more for an open wifi lol. Thus, I bet a simple man won't come up thinking such possibilities. Why? Not only because of some being less computer literate (particularly the poor/old ones) but mainly because they are already overpoered by their own personal desire. They tend to ignore it because they are already blinded by the word "Free". However, we can't blame them either because free things are really appealing . So as an awared persoon, maybe the least we can do is to give them a warning and let them decide.

[bob123]

We should know that accessing public WiFi connection is very dangerous, if not secure, it is not safe, hackers can use it to access someones device's sensitive information, [...]

An insecure wifi does not allow anyone to access information/data stored on your device.
It allows an attacker to eavesdrop on the connection, be a man in the middle etc.

What protects you against that is encryption. If you are visiting a website via HTTPS and no non-secured content is transmitted (e.g. by using HTTPS everywhere), you are fine.
No one can read/steal/manipulate the data.

VPN is also good [...]

A VPN can protect you in such cases where you are communicated unencrypted.. but you shouldn't communicate unencrypted anyway.. so there is no real reason to use a VPN in such situations nowadays.
Except maybe for the case where you need network-internal services of course.

[plvbob0070]

I never always think of using Public WiFi for the same security reasons. I ensure that even when traveling, all my internet bundles activated and are enough for me to use throughout the period. With the presence of very capable mobile devices that can act as Internet WiFi Hotspots for your laptop or Tablet such as MiFis and Smartphones, I don't get it why people still use public WiFi. Yes, it may be free or cheap but is it worth risking your privacy or sensitive data in your device?

It will never be worth it just imagine if someone has used your data in illegal activities. With one misstep, every single information on your device is captured. It just makes you susceptible to network snooping, which means the server can easily track every action you made on your device and have access to your private data like bank information.

[Yaunfitda]

I'll have to admit that I have used public wifi before when accessing this forum, and yes it was in a hotel. But I realised that I was also in danger as it is possible for hackers to see everything. Although I haven't heard any such attacks in my country, but still it was a rookie mistakes on my end. So whenever I go to a hotel, I never used their wifi even if it's for free, or any public wifi or hotspot for that matter.

[jrrsparkles]

Stop using Wifi no matter wherever you got it from, it is always has the rick of accessing our sensitive information.I didn't used the free wifi too often or atleast in the recent days in my knowledge.Spend your money if you don't want to lose your privacy.

[peter0425]

This is the reason why i always bring my Pocket wifi wherever i Go specially when there are events that i need to go overnight.
Because i felt not secured using Free wifi offered by hotels or even establishments in which i go for.

Now with this topic i will be more careful and may never really use these freebies ..

Thanks Op for this i will keep this in mind.

[Salauddin1994]

We should all be careful about using wifi in fbi hotels the biggest problem that can occur when using this wi-fi is the theft of your personal information and your internet browsing history the webpages or websites you use using wi-fi can be viewed by anyone else if they wish. Not only this with the passwords of important accounts like facebook twitter skype or gmail the login details are also likely to be invaluable.

[jseverson]

Sadly, when I'm in the (various) hotel, 99% of the time, the signal was so weak, which made the cellphone practically unusable. There's no option other than using this free wifi. I did use a paid VPN as I couldn't see what other available options besides this TOR/VPN stuff. Ideas/solutions would be appreciated.

I don't think there are other options, really. Tor is ridiculously slow, and you're possibly safer using public wifi bare than using a free VPN.

Like bob123 said above though, SSL/TLS is implemented basically everywhere nowadays, so you shouldn't encounter problems even on public wifi if you're careful. I personally still always go with a VPN just for peace of mind though lol.

[GDragon]

Too bad I've been doing it a lot whenever I'm out, who doesn't want free something anyway. Thank god I think I'm still safe with cyber theft or something. Is there any chance you would know if a WIFI is safe or not? Or the only choice we have is to not use one. No problem with me not using it but I've always thought about those who need it specially those who needs it for emergency use or something, or those who can't afford data. Governments provide free WIFI for their people too. for students it's helpful specially when everything about school is online, the same with my city but it's too slow. I hope their WIFI is safe, I hope.