In the era of connecting all the time, everywhere, public Wi-Fi has become an indispensable utility for many users. However, in addition to convenience, public Wi-Fi access points also pose many serious cybersecurity risks, when hackers take advantage of loopholes to attack and steal personal information and user accounts.
Public Wi-Fi is a delight for hackers
According to Thomas Becker, a cybersecurity expert at Cyber Guard (Germany), public Wi-Fi often lacks strict security measures, allowing hackers to easily access or create fake access points.
When users connect to an unsafe Wi-Fi network, the data transmitted through it can be easily tracked or stolen. This is an opportunity for attackers to commit acts of stealing account information, passwords, and even taking control of the device, Mr. Becker explained.
Popular attack methods via public Wi-Fi
1. Man-in-the-Middle attack ( MitM)
In this attack, hackers stand between users and Wi-Fi access points, secretly listening to all the data being transmitted. Users think that they are connecting securely, but in fact all information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and emails are collected by hackers.
2. fake Wi-Fi (Evil Twin)
The bad guys create Wi-Fi access points with names similar to or close to the real public network, making it easy for users to confuse and connect to. From there, hackers can collect data or spread malware.
3. attacking through device security vulnerabilities
When users connect to public Wi-Fi, security vulnerabilities in the operating system or application on the device can be exploited to access, install malware or remotely control.
Advice from experts to protect yourself
Ms. Rachel Kim, Director of Cyber Security at secureNet (USA), recommends that users be extremely cautious when using public Wi-Fi: First of all, do not access sensitive services such as electronic banking, email or online shopping on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. When necessary, use VPNs to encrypt all connections and ensure data security.
In addition, Rachel also emphasized the importance of regularly updating software, activating firewalls and malware on the device to minimize the risk of attacks from security vulnerabilities.
Safety habits when using public Wi-Fi
- Check the real Wi-Fi network name and avoid automatic connections.
- turned off data sharing and automatic connection to public networks.
- Use a VPN connection to protect transmission information.
- Avoid accessing websites without security certificates (HTTPS).
- Backup data regularly to prevent attacks.
