How to Use Public WiFi Safely: Guide for Android Devices
Whether you’re doing shopping at the local mall, staying at a hotel, or drinking coffee at a cafe, you can often find a free public WiFi there. It’s a cool opportunity to preserve internet access on your smartphone wherever you are. Especially if you need to go online and can’t use mobile network for some reason, or you’re in a place with poor mobile reception.
However, when you connect your Android phone or tablet to a public WiFi hotspot, you leave your device exposed to cyberattacks. Open WiFi networks can be easily exploited by hackers to steal users’ data.
Is there a way to use public WiFi safely on Android device? The answer is Yes.
What are the risks of using public WiFi?
Young people sitting at a cafe, connecting to an open WiFi on their smartphones, not aware of public wifi risks
Unsecured WiFi networks don’t require a password to use it. The absence of authentication, as well as unencrypted connections, creates an amazing opportunity for hackers to steal data from unsecured devices on such networks. Your passwords, credit card details, and other sensitive information become quite an easy target if you’re using a free WiFi network.
Still using your Android on public WiFi without any protection? Here are some traps you can fall into:
Man-in-the-middle attacks (MITM). A cybercriminal exploits security flaws of public WiFi to sniff out information that passes between your device and the websites you visit. This is done without you knowing it.
Rogue hotspots. This public WiFi risk involves fake hotspots set up by hackers using a name somewhat similar to the real, legitimate WiFi hotspot. An unsuspecting user accidentally connects to the rogue hotspot and gets vulnerable to snooping by the owner of this fake network.
Malware. Unsecured WiFi hotspots can also be used to infect devices with malware. Malware can let hackers access different information and functions of your device. This may include photos and files, and even microphone activation for eavesdropping.
What should you do to securely use public WiFi on Android device
Keep your Android OS updated
OS updates aren’t all about providing new features to your Android smartphone or tablet. They are released to enhance the operating system, as well as fix bugs and vulnerabilities which can be exploited by hackers to steal your data.
An Android device is in the process of installing updates to ensure Android open WiFi security
Whenever Google releases a new update, make sure to install it on your Android device. And this is vital not only for public WiFi. Regular updates are a general precaution that’ll help you ensure your Android security.
Use mobile security tools
Before connecting to public WiFi, make sure your Android smartphone is equipped with special security software. Hackers can use an unsecured public WiFi to distribute malware. Mitigate this risk and boost your Android device protection using malware scanning and removal tools.
Use two-factor authentication
It is quite a simple but effective way to secure your online accounts. Two-factor authentication, also known as 2FA, requests a special code which it sends to your device every time your account is accessed from an unknown location.
Two keys symbolizing two-factor authentication for preventing some security problems with public WiFi
So in case someone intercepts your credentials and tries to break into your account, possessing your password won’t be enough. They’ll also need access to your device. 2FA is offered by many online services and social media sites. However, the exact steps required to set it up vary from service to service. Also, you could install special 2FA apps like Google Authenticator, Authy, or the like.
Two-factor authentication will definitely boost your account’s security, but be aware that the activity after two-factor sign-in can still be easily monitored by the owner of the unsecured network. As such, 2FA can’t be used as a single security measure for your Android in public WiFi.
Enable VPN before connecting to public WiFi with your Android device
A
VPN is a must-have tool for your Android on unsecured WiFi. By using a
best VPN for Android, you easily combat security problems of public WiFi. VPN software routes all your traffic, including such sensitive information as passwords, credit card details, etc., via an encrypted tunnel.
Any worries about the security of your banking transactions, social accounts, online shopping, and much more, can thus be dismissed. Besides, the network’s admin can no longer see what websites you visit, turning your online activities anonymous. Same way, when you use VPN on your Android device at home or work, the ISP or your organization no longer have access to your web browsing history.
Thus,
VPN service gives you much more than enhanced security on unsecured WiFi networks. What you also gain is an overall online privacy.
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