Public Wi-Fi: A Risky Convenience

Public Wi-Fi networks are everywhere. They can be in malls, airports, hotels, cafes, and trains across the nation. However, as much as this connectivity is crucial for those who are working remote, most fail to realize the risks involved. Your company paying an hourly rate for IT support would be rendered useless if you subject it to the dangers linked with public network access. And with every link to a public connection, your risk for data getting exposed gets higher as well.  

This is mainly because cyber attackers know how to exploit networks with open Wi-Fi connections. To begin, the public Wi-Fi system you are currently logged in faces two major cybersecurity threats. These are the Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks and Evil Twin attacks.  

hourly rate for IT support Public Wi-Fi A Risky Convenience

What Is a Man-in-the-Middle Attack? 

The working process of MITM attacks follows exactly what their name implies. Basically, to put into layman’s terms, your device communicates straight with the Wi-Fi network. As such, during a cyberattack, an unauthorized intruder inserts themselves into your connection with the network behind your back. This point of interception between you and the Wi-Fi network will allow the hackers an access to your entire activity. Since, these criminals intercept all your device communications, they are able to access your email information alongside your passwords as well as banking credentials. As a result, not only do you lose money through digital theft, but you also need to pay a higher hourly rate for IT support in order to clean up this mess and get your system secured again.  

What Happens to the Stolen Data 

After obtaining your data, criminals can use this information for multiple fraudulent purposes. First, these online thieves can sell them to advertising companies hence resulting in targeted malvertising that are irritating, at best. Second, they can also sell your data to fraud operators resulting in you getting a lot of spam calls, emails and similar.  

Additionally, even with an expensive hourly rate for IT support, the threat actors can still use your details to spoof you and execute phishing attacks against different people. They can also post as employees and then access company financial data or customer information in the most serious breaches. Moreover, data exposure through lack of protection results in legal problems and fraud together with information security breaches. That is why resources to pay for an hourly rate for IT support should be focused on the prevention of the breach by limiting or smartly using public Wi-Fi systems.  

hourly rate for IT support Public Wi-Fi A Risky Convenience 2

What Are Evil Twin Attacks? 

Another equally unsafe Wi-Fi attacks are Evil Twin attacks. For example, when visiting an airport, you encounter two free Wi-Fi networks displayed for your selection. The first network was titled “Airport Free Wi-Fi.” This appears to conflict with another sign that says “Airport Wi-Fi Secure” located below it. They both look safe. However, one of them could potentially belong to an imposter resulting in you, unknowingly, providing the hacker, who created the connection fraudulently, an access to all your online activity.  

How Evil Twins Steal Data 

The functioning principle of Evil Twin attacks matches those of MITM attacks. It happens when the fake network enables attackers to intercept your cookies after you connect to it. Hence, web pages employ small files known as cookies for membership recognition purposes. Because of this, thieves who access your stolen cookies gain the ability to access your accounts. This can also lead to malware installation in the device without needing any user clicks by the victim. Your investment for an hourly rate for IT support and cybersecurity team then becomes moot as selecting a faulty network creates all the possibilities for attack. Your business data faces danger within a few minutes of being exposed. 

Public Wi-Fi as a Business Threat 

Using public Wi-Fi networks presents dangerous risks for your company’s sensitive information. This is because several types of business-sensitive information including financial data, client information and confidential project materials could become exposed when using unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Furthermore, any mistake in network connections can also result in severe privacy violations. That is why, as a business owner, it is best to invest in a good cybersecurity team with an hourly rate for IT support, to maintain both awareness and caution in this situation.  

Smart Habits for Safer Public Wi-Fi Use 

The avoidance of using public Wi-Fi altogether seems impossible especially considering those businesses that need connectivity access despite being highly mobile. In line with this, these are some steps you can take to decrease risks when using public Wi-Fi networks. 

Limit Sensitive Activity 

When using public Wi-Fi, users should avoid accessing their financial accounts and internal and confidential data. It would be best to secure sensitive workloads by reserving them for networks that use private security measures. 

Always Check for HTTPS 

Web platforms using HTTPS encrypt all browser-site communication. As a result, it makes it extremely laborious for hackers to view data transmissions. It would also be best to verify the presence of the padlock icon in the address bar before entering any sensitive data. 

Consider Security-Focused Browser Extensions 

Many browser extensions provide protection by blocking bad websites. Hence, keeping users safe from dubious advertisements, and tracking activities. When you get a team with an hourly rate for IT support, ask them to install these protective tools so that public network browsing becomes more secure. 

Disable Auto-Join Features 

Electronic devices regularly connect themselves to existing or unsecured networks. However, business employees need to disable automatic network connection functions. This is because they risk entering vulnerable networks that spoof honest ones. 

Beware of Suspicious Pop-Ups 

Open pop-up alerts on insecure networks function as deceptions to force users into malware installation. Immediately close the strange pop-up instead of responding to it. 

Strong Password and Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) 

The use of a strong password and 2FA provides enhanced security protection to the most crucial business user accounts. A hacker who obtains a password will face another barrier for entry since the system requires a verification code delivered to the account user’s phone. 

Keep Devices and Software Updated 

Outdated software functions as common ground for cybercriminals to take advantage of. Devices and applications must remain updated because security updates release necessary vulnerability-fixing patches through regular maintenance. This is also cheaper compared to an hourly rate for IT support that would spend a lot of time battling an attack. 

Secure Your Team’s Remote Access Today! 

Here at EB Solution, we know how important data security is. And any business that depends on remote operations or regular travel needs a reliable security plan. Our team assists businesses in developing security systems that enable safe telework across any location. Contact us today to learn more about keeping your business data protected on the go. 

Get in touch now!