Public Hotspots: The Different ways they Harm you
You may be an authority in your niche or any social media platform, but it does not restrict you to being open to hacks and online breaches when it comes to connecting to open free and unsecured networks. Before we continue:
- Read Also: Smart Ways To Hack-proof Your Smartphone
In a 2018 survey, cybercrime ranked as the most feared crime in the United States with sites such as CreditCards putting up guides full of helpful security tips and real world scenerios, data breach warning signs, and methods to help ease the fear of cybercrime circulating the web.
- You Risk Exposing Information To Hackers
Hello Sir, this is to notify you that your bank account have been deactivated by the Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) due to your failure to comply with the Bank verification Number (BVN) system. You are therefore charged to en-devour to call the above number for clarification and retrieval of your account. You can also forward your account details to the following Email *Email here*. Act before it is late!
2. Man – In – The – Middle- Attacks
This is a phenomenon whereby a Hacker secretly relays and possibly alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other. In recent times, this has become a common feature among Hackers. A clear example is the use of Facebook for this purpose.
The Hacker here send a link to the targeted which looks like a real and secure page, usually something like this – www.facebook,com/xyz2345&^$fro(7y457)5437gtrafficgetResponse. The targeted being unaware of the threat clicks on the link which takes him/her to another legitimate page also but Phished page also bearing the popular Facebook Logo with a box to enter his/her details.
After your information has been collected, the page either starts misbehaving or sends you a Wait For 30minutes to effects Changes caption – your details all gone!. It is therefore advisable to stay away from any unfamiliar link or consult professionals for direction.
3. Rogue WiFi Networks
Here, a hacker sets up a fake network that presents itself as a legitimate network to steal information from unsuspecting users who connect to it. Have you ever seen strange WiFi names like – Kac6^^V2 or $sen(MoveOver? sure they are likely to be them.
What this group of Hackers do is to setup real-looking but Fake WiFi signals and if you’re not careful, you fall to their traps.
All they have to do is to set up a Malicious WiFi network using some coding skills and Boom! your data and personal information are on their Palms. Abstain from any WiFi network that is not the connection from your PC to your Phone.
4. Packet Sniffer
Sniffer program is one used by Hackers which involves targeting your packets of transmitted data over an unsecured WiFi. Imagine yourself connecting to that free WiFi you just discovered; sure you’re not going to let it go and waste just like that.
Any data shared through any unsecured connection be it Wifi or Mobile network is prone to attack and sniffing by a Hacker. Data ranging from your Passwords, school information, online transactions to Banking details are all prone to Sniffing. Get yourself your own mobile connection today!
5. Social Hacking
We all fall to it. Cafe Visitors, this is for you. Also called Social Engineering. This one now does not have much to do with you connecting to free Wi-fi network, but your ignorance and over curiosity to handle circumstances.
Firstly, if you don’t have a USB drive – to get one and save yourself from this form of attack. There is also a post by Kaspersky giving detailed reasons on why you should not fear to connect to public hotspot; a totally different mindset on its own.
Now, this one is been carried out by the Hacker leaving a malicious USB or pen drive on a cafe table for an unsuspecting, curious customer to insert it into his/her device. From there on, the Hacker then captures sensitive information through malware – and they have your data with them.
Having seen the different ways by which public and free WiFi can harm one and the dangers associated with it, it is better still to handle your own personal network and in the process avoid the threats this form of connection can bring to you.
Leave a comment if you or a friend have in any way experienced any of the threats listed above.
Your points are all fantastic, infact connecting to public wifi can also transmit virus to your device
Hey, Mr Prosper
So many problems have been encoutered by different individuals using/connecting to public wifi's, so we taught "sharing is caring" We really appreciate your commendation and also promise to continue to make more of this. Thanks and have a nice weekend.
Hey Trillionclues
When i came across this post, i was asking myself how can public hotspot harm me, but after going through the content of this blog, i found out that it is quite true with what i have just read.
Thanks so much for the information, atleast i will keep safe from being hacked from now.
Thanks and welcome Emmanuel