Is it safe to trust public Wi-Fi? Main threats and ways to protect yourself.

Free internet in airports, hotels, and cafes seems like a convenient solution for people who travel frequently. For business people, students, and tourists, it is indeed practical – you can check your email, download documents, or browse important information on the go. But is it really safe to connect to these networks? Unfortunately, the answer is often no. According to statistics, most data theft incidents occur in public access points, and users often do not realize that they have become victims of attacks.

The Invisible Threat: How Attacks Work in Public Networks

When you connect to public Wi-Fi, your data is transmitted in an unencrypted form. This creates ideal conditions for cybercriminals. One of the most common attack methods is the so-called “man-in-the-middle” attack (MitM). In this case, the attacker positions themselves between your device and the internet provider, intercepting all the information you send.

Imagine that Marichka is at the airport trying to log into her email. A hacker intercepts this traffic and redirects her to a fake page that looks completely authentic. When she enters her username and password, they go straight to the criminal. Now he has access to her account and can impersonate her in correspondence, gaining access to confidential documents or even sending phishing emails to her contacts.

Wi-Fi Eavesdropping: “Evil Twin” Technique

One of the most common tricks is creating fake Wi-Fi networks with names that seem legitimate. For example, in a cafe, there may be three networks: CoffeeShop, CoffeeShop1, CoffeeShop2. At least one of them is created by a hacker. You automatically connect, thinking you are using the real cafe network, but in fact, your data is being sent straight to the criminal.

Such networks can intercept your traffic, viewing which sites you visit, what data you transmit, and even which files you download. This is not just a violation of privacy – it is a pathway to stealing login credentials, credit card numbers, and other critical information.

Traffic Analysis: Illegal Data Tracking

Cybercriminals often use specialized programs – traffic analyzers – to intercept information. Although such programs have legitimate purposes ( IT specialists use them for diagnosing network issues ), in the hands of criminals they become weapons for espionage.

These programs allow tracking all user activity in real time. A person may remain unaware of being a victim for a long time until they suddenly discover unauthorized transactions on their bank account or learn about identity theft.

Cookie theft and session hijacking

Cookies are small data files that websites collect to recognize you on your return visit. They allow you to stay logged in without entering your password every time, keep a list of items in your cart, and remember your preferences. Cookies themselves are safe – they are just text files.

However, in public Wi-Fi networks, they can be intercepted. If a hacker gets your cookie, they can impersonate you and gain access to your account by logging into your bank, email, or other websites without entering a password. This is called session hijacking, and it is especially dangerous for financial transactions.

How to Smartly Protect Yourself in Public Networks

Basic actions that reduce risk:

First of all, get information directly from the staff about the name of the actual Wi-Fi network. Do not trust the name of the network solely based on its similarity to the name of the store or establishment – it could be a trap.

Disable automatic connection to available networks on your device. Often, devices automatically connect to networks they have previously connected to, which allows hackers to easily mimic these networks.

Turn off file sharing and log out of accounts that you are not actively using. This reduces the number of potential entry points for attackers.

Critical rules for financial operations:

Never conduct financial transactions on public networks – this is especially true for cryptocurrency operations, which are irreversible. Even if you urgently need to transfer something, wait until you are on a secure network.

Avoid logging into accounts related to money – banks, payment services, crypto wallets. If absolutely necessary, ensure that the website uses the HTTPS protocol (green lock in the address bar). But keep in mind: some hackers forge HTTPS, so it is not a panacea.

The last and most effective defense:

Use a VPN (virtual private network) every time you connect to public Wi-Fi. A VPN encrypts all your data, making it unusable for interception. This is practically the only method that reliably protects you from most MitM attacks.

In addition, update your operating system and antivirus software. Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth if you are not using them – this reduces the attack surface.

Conclusion: public Wi-Fi requires caution

Public Wi-Fi is not an absolute taboo, but it's a field where cybercriminals actively hunt. Most people use such networks daily, often not realizing the real risks. Is using public Wi-Fi safe? Under ideal conditions – yes, if you follow the rules. In practice – it's better to avoid critical operations on such networks.

The key is awareness and discipline. Understand how attacks work, adhere to basic security rules, use a VPN for sensitive operations, and you will significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim. Cybercriminals are always looking for easy prey – people who are unaware of the threats. Don't be one of them.