Beware the risks of free Wi-Fi during your New Year holiday 

The New Year holiday is upon us and many places you visit will provide free Wi-Fi. If using it, here are a few tips to help keep you safe from the claws of cybercriminals. 

Free Wi-Fi is everywhere — in airports, coffee shops and hotels, and even on plane flights. It is convenient, and most of the time it is safe. But here’s the truth: every time you connect, you take on a degree of risk. Understanding those risks is the first step to staying secure.

The reality is simple: there is no such thing as absolute security. We can never achieve 100 per cent protection online. What we can do is make informed choices that stack the odds in our favour. That means recognising the vulnerabilities of public networks and taking steps to reduce exposure. 

– Basics of staying safe –

Choose hotspots wisely. Stick to networks provided by trusted businesses and confirm their names before connecting. Ensure your firewall is enabled, most devices do this automatically. For extra protection, consider using a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN encrypts all your traffic, adding a strong layer of security even on unsecured Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but convenience should never come at the cost of security. By staying alert and taking simple precautions you can enjoy the benefits without falling victim to the risks. (continues)

(Photo: 123RF)

So, what are the main risks when you use a public Wi-Fi hotspot? Let’s break them down.

– Who owns the hotspot? –

When you connect to a public hotspot, you are effectively trusting the provider as your temporary internet service. Whether it’s an airport lounge or a local café, the owner has the technical ability to monitor your activity or even redirect you to malicious sites. In most cases, reputable businesses have no interest in snooping. But the risk, however small, is real.

– The fake hotspot trap – 

Cybercriminals often set up rogue free Wi-Fi hotspots with names that look legitimate. Imagine you are at an airport and see “.@Airport Free Wi-Fi by NT” — a network you have  used before. But what if another option appears, called “.@Airport Free Wi-Fi by NT2”? Without official confirmation, you cannot be sure which is genuine. Connecting to a fake hotspot could expose you to data theft or malware. The best defence? Verify the official network name or avoid connecting if in doubt.

– Other users on the network – 

Public Wi-Fi is shared space. When you join, you are on the same network as strangers. Open hotspots — those without passwords — are particularly risky because traffic between your device and the router is not encrypted. While modern websites use HTTPS, which limits what snoopers can see, the risk is not zero. Password-protected networks offer better security, but they are not foolproof. Always assume others on the network could try to access your device.

– Network discovery and device exposure – 

Many networks allow connected devices to “see” each other. At home, this feature lets you share printers or files. On public Wi-Fi, it can expose your device to unwanted attention. While most operating systems now enable firewalls by default, and many routers block cross-device access, you should not rely on these safeguards alone. Disable file sharing and keep your firewall active whenever you are on a public network.

Source – Bangkok News