Using free, public Wi-Fi networks comes with a number of serious security risks, yet many of us do it anyway. To minimize the chance of having your money or financial information stolen, follow these steps. First, if you’re on public Wi-Fi, don’t shop online, log in to your financial institution, or access other sensitive sites. Use a Virtual Private Network, or VPN, to create a network-within-a-network, keeping everything you do encrypted. For sensitive sites, set up two-factor authentication, so even if hackers steal the passwords to your bank, social media, or email, they won’t be able to log in. And turn off the automatic Wi-Fi connectivity feature on your phone so that it won’t automatically seek out hotspots. Most important, remind yourself that even a few moments of online convenience are far outweighed by the risks of having your personal information compromised.
Adapted from "Why You Really Need to Stop Using Public Wi-Fi," by Luke Bencie
