Be careful if you connect to public WiFi

[maydna]

If you often visiting cafe to hanging around with your friends, you should be careful using public WiFi. We don't know how the cafe set the security for their customers but I heard the cafe can trace their customers activity while connecting to the WiFi.

I know this from conversation with my cousin when I meet him few days ago, he told me that many cafe's offers free WiFi to attract customers visiting their place. But some local cafe or public service places use this chance to gets the internet history of their customers, even they can get the log of banking credentials of their customers.

If you use free WiFi from a cafe or local store or hotel, you should not login to your mobile banking app but if you really need to login to your mobile banking app, make sure you use data connection from your phone to avoids the hacking.

Your security will be your responsibility so make sure that you can be careful if you connect to public WiFi and don't login to anything personal.

PS: I am sorry if this is not the right board. Please tell me and I will move it to the right one.

[_act_]

You are right about this and we have discussed about it on this forum often, but your topic about it after a long time ago is also good so that many newbies can learn from it.

When I rent hotel room which is the place I noticed I am being offered free WiFi, I just decline it. I have enough data already and it is a huge amount of data.

[Die_empty]

Your security will be your responsibility so make sure that you can be careful if you connect to public WiFi and don't login to anything personal.

PS: I am sorry if this is not the right board. Please tell me and I will move it to the right one.

Using a VPN could be helpful if you must use a public Wi-Fi. It could help encrypt your data and hide your browsing activity. When your IP address is hidden and your activity is obscured, it could be difficult to trace your history. However, avoidance is cheaper, safer, and easier than fixing the damage. It would be better to use your personal connections than to depend on public Wi-Fi where you can become exposed.

[GiorgoArm15]

I don't think there's anything wrong with using public Wi-Fi. The most important thing is the device and what's on it that you connect to public Wi-Fi. If you have a wallet or other sensitive data on it, then yes, you shouldn't use it.

 However, if you have a phone that doesn't have a wallet or anything else that could be stolen, then I don't see anything wrong with using Wi-Fi

 Many cities have public Wi-Fi, and you can log in using your phone number


I've come across public wifi without authorization a couple of times, and I prefer to stay away from them

[JiiBs]

I don't think there's anything wrong with using public Wi-Fi. The most important thing is the device and what's on it that you connect to public Wi-Fi. If you have a wallet or other sensitive data on it, then yes, you shouldn't use it.

It’s the number one precaution you should take, to never connect your device with sensitive information or documents to a public WiFi. Not properly secured WiFi always removes a layer of security which could be leveraged by hackers, either an insider or just some random hacker that knows how to infiltrate the system.

What they do is, they put themselves in the middle of your device and internet connection, making them serve like a third party or a router and that puts them in control of sieving just about anything.

The most precaution I do when I’m going to a new place is to research about them when unfamiliar and take necessary precautions to be online.

[knowngunman]

I know this from conversation with my cousin when I meet him few days ago, he told me that many cafe's offers free WiFi to attract customers visiting their place. But some local cafe or public service places use this chance to gets the internet history of their customers, even they can get the log of banking credentials of their customers.

If you use free WiFi from a cafe or local store or hotel, you should not login to your mobile banking app but if you really need to login to your mobile banking app, make sure you use data connection from your phone to avoids the hacking.

Your security will be your responsibility so make sure that you can be careful if you connect to public WiFi and don't login to anything personal.

It's good to create awareness about this and make people more conscious about safety and security but I doubt the possibility of your banking logging in details visible through public WiFi. I know they can see your browsing history and that would make it easier for them if they want to attack you since they already know the sites you visit but using the WiFi alone can not reveal your log in details directly.

It's still ideal to be cautious and limit your activities when you're connected to public WiFi. If possible, you should avoid using them completely because even your browsing history is a private thing. Even thou some WiFi are genuine and want to provide conveniency for their clients, you really can't tell which one is genuine and which one is to trick and steal your data.

[avp2306]

If you often visiting cafe to hanging around with your friends, you should be careful using public WiFi. We don't know how the cafe set the security for their customers but I heard the cafe can trace their customers activity while connecting to the WiFi.

I know this from conversation with my cousin when I meet him few days ago, he told me that many cafe's offers free WiFi to attract customers visiting their place. But some local cafe or public service places use this chance to gets the internet history of their customers, even they can get the log of banking credentials of their customers.

If you use free WiFi from a cafe or local store or hotel, you should not login to your mobile banking app but if you really need to login to your mobile banking app, make sure you use data connection from your phone to avoids the hacking.

Your security will be your responsibility so make sure that you can be careful if you connect to public WiFi and don't login to anything personal.

PS: I am sorry if this is not the right board. Please tell me and I will move it to the right one.

Its good that you brought this topic here, since there are really many risk for trying to connect on public wifi's. That's why its better for people to avoid it, especially if they are in crypto.

Because real risk to look at with connecting with it is this.

Spoofing attacks https://ccoe.dsci.in/blog/risks-of-wi-fi-spoofing-and-how-to-stay-safe-on-public-networks

Session hijacking https://owasp.org/www-community/attacks/Session_hijacking_attack

Fake Wi‑Fi hotspots https://anonyome.com/knowledge-center/public-wifi/fake-public-wifi-hotspots/

Identity theft https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/identify-theft-free-public-wi-fi/70247/


This is usual risk they could get for possible connecting on Fake public wifi. I also attached those helpful sites, so they could get an idea about those type of possible attacks.

[Rockstarguy]

Your security will be your responsibility so make sure that you can be careful if you connect to public WiFi and don't login to anything personal.

PS: I am sorry if this is not the right board. Please tell me and I will move it to the right one.

Using a VPN could be helpful if you must use a public Wi-Fi. It could help encrypt your data and hide your browsing activity. When your IP address is hidden and your activity is obscured, it could be difficult to trace your history. However, avoidance is cheaper, safer, and easier than fixing the damage. It would be better to use your personal connections than to depend on public Wi-Fi where you can become exposed.

And another security tip for using public WiFi is to make use of two-factor authentication. If someone succeeds in obtaining your login details, they will not be able to access your account with just those details because, after the first step of logging in with a password, a second security step of two-factor authentication verification will be required. However, one needs to be extremely careful in protecting the authentication security app because if the backup code is exposed, it is possible to bypass this security step.

[SeriouslyGiveaway]

If you often visiting cafe to hanging around with your friends, you should be careful using public WiFi. We don't know how the cafe set the security for their customers but I heard the cafe can trace their customers activity while connecting to the WiFi.

I know this from conversation with my cousin when I meet him few days ago, he told me that many cafe's offers free WiFi to attract customers visiting their place. But some local cafe or public service places use this chance to gets the internet history of their customers, even they can get the log of banking credentials of their customers.

If you use free WiFi from a cafe or local store or hotel, you should not login to your mobile banking app but if you really need to login to your mobile banking app, make sure you use data connection from your phone to avoids the hacking.

Your security will be your responsibility so make sure that you can be careful if you connect to public WiFi and don't login to anything personal.

Hacker Demonstrates Security Risks Of Free Public Wi-Fi.
[Guide] Protect your Crypto: Security tips for your home computer & network.
You can use VPN to reduce risk but VPN is helpful for you not only at public locations and public WiFi but also at your home.
How to Protect Your Home Network with a Gigabit VPN. This guide is very deeply technical.
Five steps to erase yourself online. If you want to watch his video on Youtube: How to Disappear Online and Become Untraceable.

The security and privacy advice from theymos.

Some things that come to mind:

 - There's been some academic success in getting the encryption keys from a computer via sound analysis. Computers can make different sounds depending on the data they're operating upon.
 - AFAIK both public wifi (ie. wifi where the attacker has the wifi password) and mobile-data protocols are completely broken security-wise. Wifi via arp spoofing and such, and mobile-data due to various attacks against inherently insecure protocols. So you should probably assume that the attacker controls your Internet connection completely.
 - If an attacker controls your Internet connection completely, then they can do things like preventing legit blocks from reaching you, preventing you from seeing conflicting transactions, giving you only their blocks, etc. If you get a few confirmations, you'll know that someone put a lot of effort into mining them, but you won't be able to confirm that they're the longest chain, since the attacker may be blocking the longest chain.
 - I wouldn't rely 100% on HTTPS, but it's not exactly trivial to defeat. Properly-configured ssh or OpenVPN are even better.

I think I'd do something like keeping all Bitcoin keys off of the laptop, and instead use ssh to connect to my real Bitcoin node. And then if you're really paranoid, change your laptop's ssh key right afterward.

And/or you could use an OpenVPN VPN, either purchased (in which case you're trusting the VPN service not to MITM you) or by setting up your own OpenVPN server somewhere. Then evil wifi can only block you, not interfere or monitor. But you have to make sure that it's configured correctly, since most VPN setups will by default switch to your native connection whenever it can't connect to the VPN. There are iptables rules that will prevent this.

[Sticky Bomb]

If you use free WiFi from a cafe or local store or hotel, you should not login to your mobile banking app but if you really need to login to your mobile banking app, make sure you use data connection from your phone to avoids the hacking.

If you can, avoid public Wi-Fi at all costs, or never connect any device that has your crypto/banking apps or sensitive documents to a public Wi-Fi, no matter how careful you might be, one day you would definitely make mistakes and it only takes a single mistake to be a victim. I made it a point of duty never to use public networks, beyond banking and crypto credentials, your private files can be at the hands of any attacker that hacks into the public network and some of those networks are very unprotected.

[Mpamaegbu]

However, one needs to be extremely careful in protecting the authentication security app because if the backup code is exposed, it is possible to bypass this security step.

With all those, "Be careful" tips you've there, don't you still think it's better avoiding using it totally? Anything that makes one uneasy using or doing something shows there's inherent danger in it and should be discarded. By the way, how many MB does anyone using a public WiFi wants to save themselves? It won't be much compared to the discomfort that may arise from using it.

I've a rule not to assess any site I feel is sensitive to me in public where I will have to look backwards over my shoulders to monitor who's looking. It's for this reason I don't even open this site where I know there's CCTV cameras, let alone my exchange or bank apps that I've to login with passwords. Except I'm blocking camera view(s). I don't like taking chances.

[Aanuoluwatofunmi]

Your security will be your responsibility, so make sure that you are careful if you connect to public WiFi and don't log in to anything personal.

Song we see a public Wi-Fi as an opportunity for them to double into it for free internet usage, not knowing that what it does in harm is more than the benefits distance to get, I'm not discouraging everyone to stop connecting to public Wi-Fi as long as you have nothing to lose from your device that is being active and of value to you, but someone like me cannot be into cryptocurrency and you expect me to be looking for free Wi-Fi around my vicinity when I can also provide one for others to use.

[Freeveto]

And another security tip for using public WiFi is to make use of two-factor authentication. If someone succeeds in obtaining your login details, they will not be able to access your account with just those details because, after the first step of logging in with a password, a second security step of two-factor authentication verification will be required. However, one needs to be extremely careful in protecting the authentication security app because if the backup code is exposed, it is possible to bypass this security step.

Is it not better to avoid using public network or wifi when using any app that is very sensitive with your personal data? It will be better than looking for way to solve the problem using 2FA because some of us use the same device to get their 2FA codes with the device they use on daily basis for their transactions.

The best thing is to avoid the use of public wifi when trying to login to your apps like exchanges, bank apps, and other applications that have you KYC so that your details will be safe. When buying something outside, the use of card will be preferable or make sure you have some data to use for transactions.

[Mr Reporter]

If you use free WiFi from a cafe or local store or hotel, you should not login to your mobile banking app but if you really need to login to your mobile banking app, make sure you use data connection from your phone to avoids the hacking.

If you can, avoid public Wi-Fi at all costs, or never connect any device that has your crypto/banking apps or sensitive documents to a public Wi-Fi, no matter how careful you might be, one day you would definitely make mistakes and it only takes a single mistake to be a victim. I made it a point of duty never to use public networks, beyond banking and crypto credentials, your private files can be at the hands of any attacker that hacks into the public network and some of those networks are very unprotected.

In addition, but let's be honest with ourselves how much would it cost a person who has about 2k$ worth of Bitcoin in their possession to get a better Internet service provider than to take a huge risk just as you and the Op have made it clear most people out there sometime learn this helpful lesson the hard way after they might have lose all the Bitcoins…it only take one slips and this one time you think to check your wallet and boom it all gone such mistake should not even think of happening after you have learn from someone mistake…Honestly, I think newbies and experience Hodler should be more careful and to have a better awareness of such carelessness because it does not even look like a big deal but it's worth it…

[Ambatman]

Many fail to also realised that your internet service provider can also track your activities
News flash, Incognito doesn't save you
It just prevents your history been saved locally on your device.
Even servers at work can trace your activities as long as you accessed it via their internet.

Privacy in today's world has to be actively protected
it isn't something you get by default.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

Yes, just like what this similar threads:

• Avoid using public WiFi for private activities
• Share How to Keep Crypto Safe While Connected to Public WiFi
• Connecting to Public WiFi

Personally though, if I'm travelling, I bring my own data connection as I don't trust public Wifi. And better yet, if you are into crypto, that is a security risk specially if you have your crypto wallet in your mobile phone.

[KingsDen]

I don't think there's anything wrong with using public Wi-Fi. The most important thing is the device and what's on it that you connect to public Wi-Fi. If you have a wallet or other sensitive data on it, then yes, you shouldn't use it.

 However, if you have a phone that doesn't have a wallet or anything else that could be stolen, then I don't see anything wrong with using Wi-Fi

 Many cities have public Wi-Fi, and you can log in using your phone number


I've come across public wifi without authorization a couple of times, and I prefer to stay away from them

It will better off as a crypto person for you to avoid any public network, whether you have financial apps in your phone or not.
Op said we are free to connect when we don't open bank apps and wallets while connected.
And you said we can connect when we don't have wallets installed.

I think the best practice is to avoid it totally. I remember how I used to connect to public networks in the past but my knowledge of this forum changed everything. I ensure my WiFi is off in public places so that it doesn't connect automatically.
It does not cost fortune to buy data and keep yourself safe.

If WiFi is not from my fiance or my family member I'll not even connect for a second.

[tech30338]

Yes, just like what this similar threads:

• Avoid using public WiFi for private activities
• Share How to Keep Crypto Safe While Connected to Public WiFi
• Connecting to Public WiFi

Personally though, if I'm travelling, I bring my own data connection as I don't trust public Wifi. And better yet, if you are into crypto, that is a security risk specially if you have your crypto wallet in your mobile phone.

Just to be safe if your computer have lots of data and also files or important importation wallet apps etc., simply bring your own WIFI dongle, i always use my own data every time I'm outside unless I'm the one who setup the network like in a client, or at the office, but in a public WIFI, you can't force me to connect my device.
Some people are comfortable joining their laptop phone into this free WIFI, what if someone  already hack into it, or made same ssid a fake one, and information might leak so stay away from public free WIFI if possible.

[coin-investor]

Part of being a cryptocurrency investor and mobile banking user is knowing how to safeguard your sensitive information and the places and tools hackers and scammers use to intercept and steal it on your phone.

So it's not only connecting on public wifi but also people around you who will try to spoof or deceive you when handling your phone.

Be sure you have enough data; here in our country, there are sims with data that doesn't expire, so there is no need for me to connect to public WiFi when I'm travelling.

[Dex_master25]

Your security will be your responsibility so make sure that you can be careful if you connect to public WiFi and don't login to anything personal.

PS: I am sorry if this is not the right board. Please tell me and I will move it to the right one.

Using a VPN could be helpful if you must use a public Wi-Fi. It could help encrypt your data and hide your browsing activity. When your IP address is hidden and your activity is obscured, it could be difficult to trace your history. However, avoidance is cheaper, safer, and easier than fixing the damage. It would be better to use your personal connections than to depend on public Wi-Fi where you can become exposed.

I think even the use of free VPN could be as dangerous, unless a paid VPN is used which I believe is stronger and more secure.
Using public wifi even from friends is dangerous also mostly if you have Bitcoin or invest in Bitcoin and have a wallet or hardware wallet on your devices.
It's better to cut your cloth according to your size rather than doing the exact opposite.