I was recently at a conference where there was an in-depth discussion about free internet access through the WiFi connection.
The access and connection mechanics are quite simple; you look for a free WiFi network and it connects. The name doesn't say or suggest anything. Just as we judge a book by its cover, we also judge a WiFi network by its name.
But watch out! The WiFi name can be spoofed… Learn how to establish a secure connection to a public WiFi network
A hacker could easily create a Wi-Fi network with the same name, hoping to attract victims. Anyone who connects to the network, the attacker could obtain all the data and carry out scams. They can have all the data going back and forth from your device, logging it. If they're unlucky and are unfortunate victims, their data traffic will be exploited, actively manipulated, and sold to third parties...
So, How can we be 100% sure that the Wi-Fi network is legitimate?
We can't, unless a technician audits the nearby WiFi networks and detects this type of attack.
What to do to have a secure public WiFi connection?
Protection Methods
My first suggestion is psychological rather than technical. While you are connected to any public WiFi network Assume you might be being spied on, You can browse news content pages, but NEVER use access to mail servers, bank accounts, or social media accounts...
This may sound like family advice, but there are hundreds of warnings written about these topics, concerning open Wi-Fi networks. That is to say, non-tech experts are only warned about wireless networks that do not require a password, and these are typically referred to as «public» or «open» networks. However, when I used the term «public» in the previous paragraph, I was referring to any network you do not control.
Being aware of evil twin networks means not trusting networks, even if they require a password.
Virtual Private Network
The best technical defense for encrypting your information when connecting to a public WiFi network is a Virtual Private Network Virtual Private Network.
Many companies offer VPN services to individuals, which are separate and distinct from the virtual private networks used by large corporations. VPN services aimed at consumers provide encrypted communication between your computing device (laptop/tablet/smartphone) and a server managed by the VPN company. This protects you from having your data intercepted by encrypting it.
Using a VPN after it has been configured is typically simple. Getting to that point, however, is not.
To use a VPN, you first connect to the internet, then you connect to the company providing the VPN service. If all goes well, everything that subsequently enters and leaves your computer device will be encrypted.
Perhaps the most popular operating system on public WiFi networks is Apple's iOS.
To connect to a VPN server with an iOS 6 device, go to Settings and move the VPN slider from OFF to ON.
To start, there are four popular types of VPNs, each with its pros and cons. For example, the oldest type of VPN, PPTP, is known for being the least secure.
Many VPN companies do not support all four types, and the same is true for most (if not all) operating systems. As a dating service, it is necessary to match the VPN types supported by the operating system with those offered by any particular VPN company.
To do this, the following is a list of the types of VPN networks natively supported by some popular operating systems.
- which iOS versions offer built-in support for L2TP, PPTP, and IPSec
- Windows 10/11 PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, SSTP, and IKEv2
- OS X Mountain L2TP over IPSec and PPTP
- OS X Snow L2TP over IPSec, PPTP, and Cisco IPSec
- Android PPTP, L2TP, and L2TP/IPSec, either with a pre-shared key or a certificate
- Android PPTP, L2TP/IPSec PSK, L2TP/IPSec RSA, IPSec Xauth PSK, IPSec Xauth RSA, and IPSec Hybrid VPN RSA
If an operating system is not compatible with a certain type of VPN that a company offers, then it's likely that the VPN company will provide software to add support for their VPN type.
There are some free VPN providers, but security and privacy are services worth paying for.
3G / 4G / 5G for a secure WiFi network connection
Another option is to avoid public Wi-Fi and use the 3G/4G/5G mobile internet connection from a mobile phone company (Movistar, Vodafone, Yoigo...).
My smartphone can act as a private Wi-Fi hotspot to provide Internet access to any nearby tablet or laptop. Please note that the hotspot (smartphone) must be configured with WPA2-AES encryption and a password. .
This is actually a double immersion into the world of defensive computing, as my phone's WiFi hotspot can also serve as an Internet backup hotspot in the office/home, should the wired connection fail.
A conclusion...
Free WiFi sounds great, but there's a big dilemma. Many of the companies or municipalities offering this service lack preventative measures to detect potential attacks or identity theft. Having these services could turn free internet access into paid access, or an experience filled with advertising, thus losing added value. A middle ground could be reached where a public, free, and secure WiFi network generates income. This way, basic preventative security standards would be met, either with WiFi in shopping malls, schools or transportation.
Discover the importance of an installation WiFi in cities, Don't miss it!