The Internet has become a necessity rather than a luxury, and public Wi-Fi networks are now commonplace at places like malls, stores, coffee shops, banks, airports, and hospitals. While this is a welcome thing, always remember that a public network poses security risks to your personal data. Here’s how to protect yourself: 

Choose trusted networks 

If you’re at a coffee shop or restaurant, for example, choose their network. If you’re at a South African airport, the ACSA Wi-Fi is available for you to browse. The key thing is to get your public Wi-Fi from a trusted source. If you’re unsure about the name of the network, ask the staff. Also avoid networks that don’t need a password to use them. This is a red flag, since most legitimate public Wi-Fi accounts require a password.  

Use a virtual private network (VPN) 

Connecting via a VPN may seem a waste of time, but it provides some much-needed security. VPNs provide an encrypted connection between your device and the Internet, shielding your data from potential hackers and data thieves. This also keeps your connection private.   

Enable firewall protection 

Firewalls are a way to protect your data against unauthorised access. They do this by monitoring the incoming and outgoing traffic on your device, then earmarking and blocking malicious programs trying to access your data. If you don’t already have a firewall on your device, you can download one from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.  

Disable auto-connect 

Your phone doesn’t discriminate. So, when it auto-connects to a Wi-Fi account, it doesn’t “ask” whether the network intends to steal data while you’re connected. To stay safe, simply disable the auto-connect option. That way you can manually connect to networks you trust and implement the other security measures we suggest in this article. 

Ensure HTTPS encryption 

These days, not many websites operate on the unsecure HTTP protocol. Almost all use HTTPS now, so when you notice a site uses the former, steer clear. Browsers and Wi-Fi connections may flag unsecure websites and prevent you from entering them, but public networks probably won’t. Always check for HTTPS before entering a site.  

Use two-factor authentication (2FA) 

In the event that your information has been stolen, 2 factor, biometric or multi-factor authentication can still save the day. It adds an extra layer or two of verification to your logins before you’re allowed into your account. This extra layer means that even if a hacker does manage to get your login details, you will still be asked for permission to proceed before they can get in.  

Avoid sensitive transactions 

• Banking – If you need to use your banking app, it’s safer to wait until you get home and do it on your secure Wi-Fi. Or simply turn off your Wi-Fi and do the transaction using your mobile data instead.  

• Buying online – Online purchases require you to enter data, so avoid doing this on public Wi-Fi. The information you’re divulging is super-sensitive and can cost you money and time if your data is compromised.  

What activities are safe to do via a public Wi-Fi connection? 

If you take precautions and use it for safe purposes, it’s fine to enjoy the convenience of public Wi-Fi. These activities are generally safe: 

• Browsing general websites - Casual browsing on public Wi-Fi networks is fine if you’re visiting reputable and non-sensitive websites that don’t need your personal information. 

• Reading news articles or blogs -This is also low risk if you avoid entering any personal information or engaging in sensitive interactions. 

• Checking public social media accounts - Public social media accounts like Twitter or Instagram are relatively safe.  

• Using secure messaging apps - Signal and WhatsApp are both encrypted, providing additional layers of security and ensuring your conversations remain private. This applies even on public Wi-Fi networks. 

• Accessing public information or resources - Government websites and any sites related to the public sector prioritise security measures to protect user data, making them safe to use on public Wi-Fi.

Vodacom has your back when it comes to the safety and security of your contracts and devices. If you are concerned about fraudulent activity on your products, contact us on frauddisputes@vodacom.co.za.

For a wider range of articles to broaden your knowledge of the dangers prevalent online, check out our digital fraud overview.