I was originally paid for this article to appear on the now defunct Outloud Magazine website.
It has become so popular, so useful, and so integral to everyday life that they say you’re never more than 5 metres from an internet. Your mobile’s online, your laptop’s online, your TV’s online, your fridge is online, even your Grandma might be online. The UN have supposedly declared internet access a human right. Whether you see it as a dystopian nightmare of Skynets and Matrixs, or an information-fuelled Utopia, we are all constantly connected to the web and each other.
But, how do we connect to it? At home you’ve probably got a wi-fi router so that you can connect from anywhere in your house. When you’re out and about, however, it’s not quite so simple. You might have a mobile internet data plan, but they can get expensive, so why not connect to one of the many wi-fi networks that pop up on the wi-fi menu of your phone? Many restaurants and bars now offer free wi-fi, or maybe you’ll just piggyback on the internet of anyone dumb enough to not password lock their network.
The problem is that, by indiscriminately connecting to
unknown wi-fi networks, you’re opening yourself up to a lot of risks:
1. If the owner of the network is using it maliciously, they could intercept any information you send over it, resulting in identity theft.
If someone else connected the network is using it maliciously, they could intercept any information you send over it, resulting in identity theft.
2. Some ‘free’ wi-fi networks found in cafés and hotels, will ask you to sign up with an email address, name, address and password. As with every supposedly free thing you sign up to online, chances are that they’re selling your information on. In all likelihood to advertisers, but possibly to more nefarious sources.
3. If a device connected to the network is infected with a computer virus that might spread to your device; slowing it down, stealing your information, ruining your life etc.
The obvious solution is to never connect to an unknown wi-fi network, but it’s not a very helpful solution. There are times, such as when you’re abroad, when you have no other choice. With a laptop it’s fairly easy: as long as you’ve kept on top of computer security with firewalls, anti-virus etc. you should be pretty safe on your hotel’s wi-fi. It’s not so easy with mobiles and tablets. There is, however, Skycure. Skycure is an app available on IOS and Android which is designed to defend your device from any malicious attacks. It boasts of not draining the battery, providing excellent security, and keeping you out of IT department’s hair! So for extra piece of mind, an app like this sounds like the perfect solution.
Sources:
http://safeandsavvy.f-secure.com/2014/09/29/danger-of-public-wifi/