It’s not easy to be a traveler, is it? Continuous hussle about traveling from one place to another, whether it’s related to your job or you are into discovering new places around the globe to visit, it all demands you to be agile to face all the hussle you may face while traveling.
I love to travel and explore new places as well as content on HBO Max.
But there is always a thing which keeps me alert while streaming movies or documentaries on my way to somewhere, which i know everyone has to experience and that is how can i keep my device safe while using public Wi-Fi.
Staying Safe on Public Wi-Fi
Once upon a time I was traveling to the Philippines and I had to use public Wi-Fi. As I was dying of boredom, I thought of continuing my series which I left at the very interesting point but I came to realize that HBO Max in Philippines isn’t available. This isn’t it. I was also worried about using public Wi-Fi.
But here I’ve curated steps which I follow when I am traveling and using public Wi-Fi. So here we go!
Avoid Accessing sensitive Information’s
The first and foremost thing to follow is to avoid using sensitive information. It’s quite easy for hackers to hack your internet traffic as public Wi-Fi is not secure enough. This sensitive information may include your bank account number or your credit card details.
In general, it is a good idea to limit your use of public Wi-Fi and only use them when you are in dire need of it. It’s better to wait until you get a secure and sound network.
Use a VPN
A VPN (virtual private network) is a service that encrypts your internet and secure it by connecting through a secure server. There are a number of VPNs available that you can install to make your data safe while using public Wi-Fi.
It is a smart way to protect your privacy and personal online activities by using a reliable VPN provider. All these VPNs make it hard for the hacker to intercept your data. Also, VPN provides you with dozens of benefits that a traveler can enjoy without having to be afraid of his online activity being exposed to the third party.
Keep your Device Security Updated
Make sure that your device is updated with the latest security patches and all the mandatory security systems are installed. It’s important to update all the device security updates because it can protect your device from malware and other malicious activities. When you connect your device to public Wi-Fi, you are potentially exposing your device to open security threats. So, keeping things updated helps to ensure your data from being spied on.
Use Strong Passwords
Most of the time people keep their passwords very weak and easy so that they remain easy to remember but often forgets that this can bring some trouble, especially if you are using a public Wi-Fi. To create a strong password consider using a password manager who can generate a strong password for you which isn’t easy to crack for each of your accounts.
Use Two Factor Authentication
Another essential thing which most people forget is to keep their two-factor authentication in their accounts. This feature helps to secure your account from being hacked as it enables a security shield on your accounts and demands a code in addition to your password to log in.
Beware Of Your Surrounding
Try to avoid being in crowded places as much as possible, because it makes it easier for the hacker to blend in and spy on your account or online activities. Find a place which has minimum traffic.
And keep an eye on all the doubtful activities that are happening around you. In addition to it try using a privacy screen to prevent from seeing what is happening on your device from all the prying eyes.
Turn off Automatic Wi-Fi connection
Don’t forget to turn off the feature which almost everyone has on their phone and that is to turn your automatic wi-fi connection feature off. It often happens that we forget to switch this feature off resulting in connecting to unknown devices leaving your data available for the hackers to intercept.
Disable File Sharing and Network Discovering
Another thing to remember is to switch this network discovering and file sharing feature off. This secures your important data and online activities to some extent. Because keeping this option open can invite other traffic on the same network to have access to your activities.
Use a Firewall to block Unauthorized access
Use a firewall to block all unauthorized access to your phone and devices and prevent it from being hacked. It is a security feature that monitors all incoming and outgoing network traffic and blocks all the traffic that is not meeting security terms.
Log out of your Accounts
Logout of all of your accounts once you’re done using them, this helps to ensure your privacy even if someone has gained access to your account. Logging out of your accounts is a simple precaution you can follow while using public Wi-Fi networks without any fear of your data leaking.
Wrapping Up
Using public wi-fi is handy but has potential risks of exposing your data to hackers. But it doesn’t stop me from streaming my favorite shows and learning about new places to explore. Because I make sure to follow all these precautionary steps to ensure my device security and protect all my sensitive information while using a public Wi-Fi. Follow the above steps and enjoy the perks of public Wi-Fi.
