Dangers of connecting to Free Public Wi-Fi Networks
2019 has been a crazy year for internet users in Nigeria, as alot of cheap data offers where introduced, ranging from MTN, to
Airtel,
9Mobile, and Glo - 'The Grandmasters of Data'. We hope this new data phenomenon has come to stay in Nigeria; because sometimes this internet service providers do this just to entice users to be a part of their platform, and in no time they stop the offer that made the subscriber consider been a part of the network in the first place.
However, we must say data cost in Nigeria has depricated alot; but in honest truth of the matter, data are still pretty much expensive. Yeah, I mean expensive.
Come to think of this scenario. You purchase a "cheap data plan" as we call it, you stream movies on Netflix and as if that's not enough, you still download movies and games (especially those of you that enjoying PlayStation games on their smartphones. This one we talk of downloading in Gigabytes, not even Megabytes.) In due time you must have exhausted your earlier purchased data, now you purchase another data again. Can't you see, no matter how cheap the data you buy it can never be enough for you!!
So that brings us to the central topic of the day; Free Public WiFi Networks. I must say, even I myself find it unresistable and tempting. When to comes to free Wi-Fi we have always got something to use it for; whether to chat up someone on WhatsApp or Facebook, or download this app you have been longing to download. When we comes to free public Wi-Fi network, we all use it or have used it before, whether in banks, airports, schools, hospitals, recreational parks, just name it!
You know, there is saying "all that glitters are not Gold!" This adage also applies to free public Wi-Fi networks.
When you connect to a public free Wi-Fi network, do ever use password to connect to it? Obviously, no. That's why it's called free in the first place, why should I require a password to connect to something to is free? And this where the danger of public Wi-Fi arises!
When you connect to a free public Wi-Fi network, you don't need a password because the owner has set little-to-no security settings, as with that, the network has little-or-no encryption. So it's almost reasonable to say, when you browse using a free Wi-Fi network, your browsing history is visible to the owner (or the person who created the network).
ALSO READ: Download and Watch Netflix Full HD Movies for Free with Netflix Premium Mod App
Most times when you access the internet on your smartphone or computer, your ISP knows exactly what are you doing on the internet; It's calls little or no harm, as this companies has a brand to protect, and they work under government jurisdiction. But in the case of hackers, hmmm! Words alone can explain what they could do with your data and information. They can rather steal your bank account details(which includes your debit and credit card pins), or get some sensitive amount of information about you and then sell to a company that requires it.
2. The Man in the Middle Attacks
If you are an eloquent reader of this blog, then the "Man in the Middle Attacks", shouldn't come new to you; As I talked about it in my newly updated post,
A MUST READ: List of 61 Proxy Websites to keep you Anonymous on the Internet
As the name implies, "The Man in-the-Middle", in this attack the person is in between you and a server (such as the app or website you are using). What this implies is that, as you send a message to a server it passes through that "Man in the Middle" before it gets to the server, and vice versa.
So what does this mean? The person has power to; change your request to the server to something else (and vice versa), view your conservation (which may include sensitive information) to the server and vice versa.
3. Installation of Malware
In recent years, hackers has used; phising site and emails, malicious codes in apps (even Apps in Google Play Store can not be overlooked) to install malware (such as keyloggers, viruses, trojan e.t.c) to the victims smartphones.
Funny enough, you could have malwares installed in your smartphone for months or even years and still wouldn't notice a thing. This is crazy, right? Before you come to a realization of these act, hackers would have by then stolen alot of sensitive information on your phone.
How does hackers install malwares through free public Wi-Fi networks?
It's simple. All they have to do is add the malware to the network, and when anyone connects to the network they automatically download the malware to their device (without thier notice.)
On number 4 on this list (and the last will be talking about) is what we call rogue network attacks.
4. Rogue Network Attacks
Here's how this attack works. The hacker creates a name that is almost the same and in most cases even the same with the company's Wi-Fi name. So seeing this, you definitely can't tell the difference between the company's network and that of the hacker's. When you connect to that of the hacker, they automatically become your ISP, and as of that moment they can monitor your internet traffic and steal sensitive information about you, hack your smartphone, and do many other illegal activities.
Yeah, yeah! I have said too much already. I guess now that you have come to a realization of this acts by hackers, when you come around public free Wi-Fi Networks, you would think twice before connecting.
Comment, and must importantly share this to save a friend from been a victim of this act.
However, we must say data cost in Nigeria has depricated alot; but in honest truth of the matter, data are still pretty much expensive. Yeah, I mean expensive.
Come to think of this scenario. You purchase a "cheap data plan" as we call it, you stream movies on Netflix and as if that's not enough, you still download movies and games (especially those of you that enjoying PlayStation games on their smartphones. This one we talk of downloading in Gigabytes, not even Megabytes.) In due time you must have exhausted your earlier purchased data, now you purchase another data again. Can't you see, no matter how cheap the data you buy it can never be enough for you!!
So that brings us to the central topic of the day; Free Public WiFi Networks. I must say, even I myself find it unresistable and tempting. When to comes to free Wi-Fi we have always got something to use it for; whether to chat up someone on WhatsApp or Facebook, or download this app you have been longing to download. When we comes to free public Wi-Fi network, we all use it or have used it before, whether in banks, airports, schools, hospitals, recreational parks, just name it!
You know, there is saying "all that glitters are not Gold!" This adage also applies to free public Wi-Fi networks.
What exactly makes Public Free Wi-Fi so Dangerous; What are the risks of connecting to Free Public Wi-Fi Networks?
1. Data Monitoring and CollectionWhen you connect to a public free Wi-Fi network, do ever use password to connect to it? Obviously, no. That's why it's called free in the first place, why should I require a password to connect to something to is free? And this where the danger of public Wi-Fi arises!
When you connect to a free public Wi-Fi network, you don't need a password because the owner has set little-to-no security settings, as with that, the network has little-or-no encryption. So it's almost reasonable to say, when you browse using a free Wi-Fi network, your browsing history is visible to the owner (or the person who created the network).
ALSO READ: Download and Watch Netflix Full HD Movies for Free with Netflix Premium Mod App
Most times when you access the internet on your smartphone or computer, your ISP knows exactly what are you doing on the internet; It's calls little or no harm, as this companies has a brand to protect, and they work under government jurisdiction. But in the case of hackers, hmmm! Words alone can explain what they could do with your data and information. They can rather steal your bank account details(which includes your debit and credit card pins), or get some sensitive amount of information about you and then sell to a company that requires it.
2. The Man in the Middle Attacks
If you are an eloquent reader of this blog, then the "Man in the Middle Attacks", shouldn't come new to you; As I talked about it in my newly updated post,
A MUST READ: List of 61 Proxy Websites to keep you Anonymous on the Internet
As the name implies, "The Man in-the-Middle", in this attack the person is in between you and a server (such as the app or website you are using). What this implies is that, as you send a message to a server it passes through that "Man in the Middle" before it gets to the server, and vice versa.
So what does this mean? The person has power to; change your request to the server to something else (and vice versa), view your conservation (which may include sensitive information) to the server and vice versa.
3. Installation of Malware
In recent years, hackers has used; phising site and emails, malicious codes in apps (even Apps in Google Play Store can not be overlooked) to install malware (such as keyloggers, viruses, trojan e.t.c) to the victims smartphones.
Funny enough, you could have malwares installed in your smartphone for months or even years and still wouldn't notice a thing. This is crazy, right? Before you come to a realization of these act, hackers would have by then stolen alot of sensitive information on your phone.
How does hackers install malwares through free public Wi-Fi networks?
It's simple. All they have to do is add the malware to the network, and when anyone connects to the network they automatically download the malware to their device (without thier notice.)
On number 4 on this list (and the last will be talking about) is what we call rogue network attacks.
4. Rogue Network Attacks
Here's how this attack works. The hacker creates a name that is almost the same and in most cases even the same with the company's Wi-Fi name. So seeing this, you definitely can't tell the difference between the company's network and that of the hacker's. When you connect to that of the hacker, they automatically become your ISP, and as of that moment they can monitor your internet traffic and steal sensitive information about you, hack your smartphone, and do many other illegal activities.
Yeah, yeah! I have said too much already. I guess now that you have come to a realization of this acts by hackers, when you come around public free Wi-Fi Networks, you would think twice before connecting.
Comment, and must importantly share this to save a friend from been a victim of this act.
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