Be careful if you connect to public WiFi

[DYOR+BTC]

I just learned that using free Wi-Fi can have such an impact. Thank you, friend, for the information. Fortunately, I rarely use free Wi-Fi in cafes or other public places because when I leave the house, I always use my phone's data for whatever I need

However, considering the increasingly sophisticated era, we must increase our vigilance. If we don't, we're likely to be at risk of harm So, the point is, we must be vigilant because with the sophistication of this modern era if we're not vigilant, we can potentially harm ourselves I think I'll be more vigilant in everything now

Same way you are overwhelmed by that important information so I am, at times I spend time and energy keying into public network that is if the need be without knowing am endangering my assets on that process, that is why they say what we don't know is bigger than us.
At times I don't know if I will say the constant increment in technological advancement is of more disadvantages than advantage because before now i know keying into public networks can never provide access to our hidden informations but now the advancement in technology have created a means through which informations can be accessed through the use of public networks. 

[macson]

I once tested it by duplicating a cafe's Wi-Fi network with my personal hotspot, and four or five devices directly connected to it. It just goes to show that many people nowadays don't care about the security of their devices in public places. If I had malicious intent, I could have taken advantage of that.

This is also why I always rely on my MiFi. While it's more complicated since I need to carry an extra device, at least I can avoid unnecessary risks on public Wi-Fi.

[DYING_S0UL]

Theoretically speaking,

What if I run tailsOS on my laptop first and then connect to a public WiFi network? Would that be then sufficient enough to eliminate these security vulnerabilities (At some degree)? Or am I still in danger from attacks like Man in the middle, or like packet sniffing? I know this much is that it's better than the general approach but this ain't a foolproof solution, right? At the end sticking to own data is the most safest way I guess! Still I'm curious about the outcome, that comes with tailsOS.

[r_victory]

I think I’ve mentioned this in another thread, but I believe it serves as a warning. Early in my cryptocurrency journey, I remember checking the price of a token I held on an exchange and noticing it had risen significantly. I immediately logged into my account to sell it. In my excitement, I forgot to disconnect from the public Wi-Fi provided by my city's local government. I managed to sell the token, but hours later that same day, my account was hacked. Nothing worse happened only because I had other security measures in place. It was a valuable lesson; since then, I’ve made it a habit to turn off my Wi-Fi connection whenever I leave home.

[Dareo]

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.

Though the topic is public wifi related but I would just add that even if you use mobile data, you should not click on unknown links or install unnecessary apps. Because, many people consider only the network to be a risk, but device security is equally important. Enabling 2FA or using a separate device for sensitive work will further reduce the risk.

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.

Agree, the weakest point in security is often not the technology, but the user's habits. Connecting whenever they see free WiFi, turning on auto join are big problems. Small security habits can save you a lot of damage in the long run.

[Solokan]

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.

I clearly understand what you’re trying to avoid. If you already have enough data, using your own connection will be a better option because you don’t need to depend on public WiFi. Public WiFi isn’t secure, and if the WiFi  is not protected, hackers may have access to some of your essential information if you don’t apply caution. That does not mean that every hotel WiFi is unsafe, why I said this, is because many hotels apply security measures. The main thing is to avoid logging in to your bank app or entering any important password, unless you’re using a trusted VPN.

While there are certainly secure and unsecured Wi-Fi networks, I personally prefer using my personal data because it's safer and less anxious. Furthermore, I frequently check mobile banking and other services, which would be a shame if someone else knew my password or PIN. I think most people these days are constantly faced with activities that involve money and certainly use mobile banking a lot, especially those who like online businesses. So, I prefer using my personal data for security and less anxiety.

However, it seems that some people are currently unaware that not all Wi-Fi networks are secure. Hopefully, this topic will make everyone more careful when using Wi-Fi. The bottom line is, we must try to protect our assets and money, because it would be a shame if they were lost just because of free Wi-Fi.

[maydna]

~snip~

Agree, the weakest point in security is often not the technology, but the user's habits. Connecting whenever they see free WiFi, turning on auto join are big problems. Small security habits can save you a lot of damage in the long run.

Usually, that is because underestimating and thinking that we will be okay connecting to free WiFi. But to be honest, we are a nicely target for hackers who have a bad intention to spy and control and also takes the next step.

Even you connect to free WiFi, you don't know we are safe or not so we should take responsibility for our security. Make sure we can avoids the bad things.

[CryptSafe]

I think I’ve mentioned this in another thread, but I believe it serves as a warning. Early in my cryptocurrency journey, I remember checking the price of a token I held on an exchange and noticing it had risen significantly. I immediately logged into my account to sell it. In my excitement, I forgot to disconnect from the public Wi-Fi provided by my city's local government. I managed to sell the token, but hours later that same day, my account was hacked. Nothing worse happened only because I had other security measures in place. It was a valuable lesson; since then, I’ve made it a habit to turn off my Wi-Fi connection whenever I leave home.

What a terrible experience though. This is why sometimes it is good to control your emotions when doing things of this nature so that over excitement does not make you make a terrible mistake you would not be quick to forget. I have had similar experience in the past  although not a hack but transfer error and to the wrong wallet while being excited because of price increase in my holdings. Till date I can not really do away with that thought because it was a terrible mistake from my end as I lost a good amount of asset in value.

Whenever you are doing a transaction, it is best to control yourself and do not be distracted or absent minded because that alone might cost you something you never bargained for. Fully focus and make sure you avoid side distractions till you are done with your transactions. Also crosscheck your receiving wallet's from your end to make sure it corresponds with the receiving wallet address before you send the transaction because when sent it can not be reversed.

[348Judah]

I want to believe so many people don't know the implication of connecting to public Wi-Fi and that is why they will always look after one, but I don't expect someone that has been into cryptocurrency for sometime to also join in doing this same behavior when we are meant to be more exposed than all this, instead we should rather let others know the implication of things like this to avoid it and not being the same sort of people that will be doing it ignorantly.

[dansus021]

Most modern websites and banking/crypto apps enforce strict end-to-end encryption (HTTPS / TLS 1.3). This means that even if a router operator or hacker eavesdrops on the Wi-Fi traffic, they generally cannot read your passwords or bank credentials in cleartext as you send them. An attacker sets up a fake Wi-Fi network When you connect, all your traffic routes directly through the hacker's device

Your advice is actually a good idean to Treat all public Wi-Fi networks as untrusted by default. Saving a few megabytes of cellular data is never worth the risk of losing your financial credentials or crypto funds.

[Oshio-man]

I think you have used this thread to educate us, some of us see some public free WIFI as an opportunity to save our data not knowing that we are engaging our privacy to scammers or other people that is in control of the public WiFi, maybe a lot of bitcoiners have experienced some negative things from the public WiFi not knowing that their personal details is displaying for strangers to have some evidence they will use against them in the future which is the reason some bitcoiners don't connect to public WiFi anyhow.

[leonair]

Connecting to public Wifi is not always dangerous. However, it should be avoided if possible. I usually do not use public Wifi because I rarely use my phone when I am outside. I prefer to enjoy the outdoor environment so I do not use the internet at that time. However, if I have to use the internet for any emergency reason, I use mobile data, which is my habit. I am never serious about public wifi. However, I have noticed that many of my friends feel very comfortable using public wifi, I always tell them to refrain because I heard a hacking incident a long time ago that someone's bank account was hacked by connecting to public wifi, but I do not know how true it is, but I always avoid public wifi connections.

[Su-asa]

I don't know about cafes in my area, but as for the hotels, some of them have free Wi-Fi, but customers don't normally use it because paying for an Internet connection is very cheap in Nigeria (depending on the plan you want or the service provider you are using). There's this hotel I normally go to most times I don't use their wifi at all because I already have an Internet connection. My question is, why would someone use free wifi when he or she already has an Internet connection? Isn't that concerning? The only time I can freely connect to a wifi is when I don't have a data subscription, but still, I don't connect randomly, just family members.

[Patikno]

Theoretically speaking,

What if I run tailsOS on my laptop first and then connect to a public WiFi network? Would that be then sufficient enough to eliminate these security vulnerabilities (At some degree)? Or am I still in danger from attacks like Man in the middle, or like packet sniffing? I know this much is that it's better than the general approach but this ain't a foolproof solution, right? At the end sticking to own data is the most safest way I guess! Still I'm curious about the outcome, that comes with tailsOS.

Based on the sources I read, Tails OS is able to maintain the privacy of its users, and provides high-level security for surfing or diving on the internet. The operating system requires all internet connections to pass through the Tor network so that they are not easily tracked (because it has layered encryption, and random redirects). So, I think using this portable OS is very effective for securing against attacks that may occur on public Wifi. I am sure that well-known applications; such as "Wireshark" will also not be able to sniff data packets from Tails OS users.

Sources :
➥tails.net
➥wikipediia.org - Tails (operating system)
➥torproject.org - The privacy and anonymity protections Tor offers
➥youtube - Tails Linux USB with Persistence (Be invisible online in 5 minutes)

Well, Honestly, I have never used Tails Os, but I think I need to try and test this distro. Its simple, portable use makes it hassle-free. Therefore, I think this OS is well worth trying, especially in certain situations where it is urgently needed.

In addition, the Tails OS operating system was also used by a "public hero" named "Edward Snowden". He used it to be untraceable, and undetectable. Because of that, I believe that; this can be used as a benchmark to make the OS a good security, and anonymity. Maybe, we can provide a storage device by installing the OS into it, so we only need to plug it into the main device when needed.

Sources :
➥wired.com - Out in the Open: Inside the Operating System Edward Snowden Used to Evade the NSA
➥nationalgeographic.grid.id - Tails, the Anti-Eavesdropping Operating System Used by Snowden ( need translation from "Indonesia" to "English" to read it )

By the way, do you have experience using this OS ?

[salad daging]

My question is, why would someone use free wifi when he or she already has an Internet connection? Isn't that concerning? The only time I can freely connect to a wifi is when I don't have a data subscription, but still, I don't connect randomly, just family members.

Many reasons they use public WiFI, could be to save your data internet or use public WiFi because of its fast speed, which of course we already know has been widely reported everywhere including local or global articles on the fact that it is dangerous, now it is enough to know and be careful in the future.

Suppose you go to a Cafe or Hotel that offers free WiFi, never connect it for security reasons.

[Charles-Tim]

While there are certainly secure and unsecured Wi-Fi networks, I personally prefer using my personal data because it's safer and less anxious. Furthermore, I frequently check mobile banking and other services, which would be a shame if someone else knew my password or PIN. I think most people these days are constantly faced with activities that involve money and certainly use mobile banking a lot, especially those who like online businesses. So, I prefer using my personal data for security and less anxiety.

The public WiFi operators can know that you are visiting banking site, but they can not know your password. I am not implying that public WiFi is good, it is very bad to use for anyone that wants privacy.

The only WiFi that you can see secure is your MiFi or router which is your own personal WiFi. There are some cases that some apps on your device will be showing that the WiFi is not secure but it is your own WiFi and not public which makes it secure.

[Sobz]

Not even using public WiFi is a security measure one takes. Internet subscriptions are not expensive, and anyone can afford them, no matter one's financial state.
Sometimes we are the reason we get into problems, because we do not want to spend that small charge that is mandatory for us. I don't think that in 2026, Internet subscriptions will be a problem for people who cannot afford them. If people learn to afford certain things, it will be a great advantage and help them avoid falling victim to scams.

[Bitcoin_people]

Although using public WiFi is somewhat risky, especially when it comes to accessing your own device and the chances of being hacked are high. However, I think if you have to do something important while using public WiFi, it can be a little safer if you connect to a VPN. Moreover, if you do any transactions using public WiFi, if they are bank accounts, there may be a higher chance of being hacked, so it is better to avoid them. If necessary, it is safest to complete important tasks using your own personal connection. Therefore, everyone should be careful about using public WiFi because it can be risky for the device.

[Nightwatchmare]

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

Malicious software can be sent to device and other people can read your messages by connecting to public Wi-Fi. And if you are used to connecting to public Wi-Fi because there is no wallet or sensitive message on your phone that scammers could stole, one day you might forget that you have a wallet or sensitive message on your phone that you do not want a third-party to get hold of and you would connect to public Wi-Fi without knowing, so the best way to safeguard yourself from theft and blackmail is for you not to connect to public Wi-Fi even if you do not have wallet or sensitive message on your device. Free things always put people in trouble. If you cannot provide your own Wi-Fi, you can buy data from your service provider and save yourself from future regret.

[DPHOR]

For me I do not really encourage anyone to login on their personal information on public WiFi because that could revealed a lot of things about you, especially if you do not restricts some settings on your phones or personal computer.
Anyone who must care about their identity should be that avoiding a connection that could implications them because, they wouldn't want to be revealed, it's important to also turned off some features on their device.