Tips on How to Safely use an open Wi-Fi network

Open Wi-Fi networks are less reliable than your home Internet – because you do not know who configured them and what people are sitting there. To protect your data, use the following tips:

1. Use trusted networks

One should always be sure that whichever and wherever they are connecting their devices to an open wi-fi network, it at the least should be safe; connect only to known open networks, for example, from Starbucks, Café Coffee Day. Their owners and so on earn fro you, so it’s unlikely you will be harmed or find any malicious app through them.
No open Wi-Fi network can be absolutely secured – it all comes down to who provides it and what people are in it. Therefore, familiar networks are always better than unknown ones.

2. Use the HTTP protocol

Google Chrome (one of the imminent internet browser), mark any unencrypted HTTP connection as unsafe, that is being used by any website. Pay attention to HTTP notifications, especially if you use open Wi-Fi points. Users on your network can not intercept the data that you exchange with the site server, while you are using an HTTP connection. HTTP permits users to check what you are doing on the internet.

3. Do not talk too much about yourself

Be careful while using any public Wi-Fi, given that you are asked to enter personal information, like, your e-mail I.D. or phone number when connecting. If you need to be online specifically, always go for a trusted network, like mentioned before in this article- it ensures your safety online, and absolutely need to go online, select a trusted network (as mentioned above) and careful to specify a non-primary email address only.
Shops and restaurants request such information to find out when you are connected and display relevant advertising. It’s up to you whether all this is worth a free internet connection. It is far better to go for services where you have already registered, or you are familiar with rather than to transfer your personal information to more strangers.

4. Limit the operation of AirDrop and transfer files

When you are working on an open network you shall not share files with strangers or unknown people and must immobilize the appropriate features. If you’re working on a laptop, take these steps:
1. Go to the Network and Sharing Center.
2. Then go to Advanced Sharing Options and select “Disable File and Printer Sharing.”
And you are done. Now let’s say you are using Mac, then follow these steps:
1. Go to System Preferences, then to the File Sharing section
2. Now uncheck all the items, then launch the Finder
3. Click on AirDrop and select “Who can see me: no one”.
And on iOS, you just need to find the AirDrop function in the Control Center and turn it off. It’s all done. No one else around will be able to interrupt your files and send you something redundant.

5. Carefully read the agreement

Always keep in mind this basic, but useful advice: Check all the conditions that you agree to when connecting to public Wi-Fi; sometimes there are hidden objectives which are, of course not clear, but still you will likely to be able to notice the treacherous happenings. For e.g. who knows what kind of data will be collected and used against you or it isn’t sure what will be done with that collected information.
Sometimes we find a few things quite complex or confusing in the agreement, and in that scenario, you can take help of Google on what others write about it. The agreement itself does not pose any danger – it helps protect the communication provider, but it’s not worth it to creep through all the pop-ups. And the moment you are asked to download a program or an extension for the browser, you should right away reject it.

6. Use VPN

One of the most effective ways to protect an open Wi-Fi network is to install a VPN. All it does is- encrypts the data that is being transmitted, from your device and binds you to a reliable server. It then further adds on to the difficulty of the users who are sitting there to intercept your information or to find out what you are up to on the network.
It’s quite easy to connect to a VPN. But then of course, given you often drive around the city and get connected to too many different networks, you should not spare money for a good VPN- it’s a resourceful requirement.

7. Additional tips

In the coming future, a new WPA3 security protocol will appear and all the open Wi-Fi networks will become more reliable, as it will help in securing your devices and safeguarding your information/data. However, vulnerabilities in protection still arise from outdated software, so you should always install the latest updates for all the apps for your laptop or phone. And in any case, you shall not download or install any updates on any open Wi-Fi (except in cases of extreme necessity, given the network is secure).
In general, the best way to avoid any problems with open Wi-Fi networks is, of course, not to use them. Perhaps you should download music and movies on the road beforehand or use the wireless access point function on your phone. If you still decide to connect to an open Wi-Fi, use these tips to protect yourself, and share this information with other people.

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