Cybersecurity experts and media outlets keep warning us about the dangers of free Wi-Fi. Yet, even though more than 40% of users report some form of compromise after connecting to it, the general populace still isn’t taking the dangers seriously.
So, what exactly are the risks, and how are hackers who use free Wi-Fi for their evil schemes pulling it off? More importantly, what can you do to keep enjoying Wi-Fi’s convenience without becoming a victim? Here’s everything you need to know.
Why is Free Wi-Fi Risky?
Above all else, public Wi-Fi hotspots are set up for convenience. Some may not even require a password, let alone use advanced security measures like encryption. They’re prominent in airports, touristy areas, and restaurants – all places where people are either looking to unwind or too stressed to think about anything other than going online.
Since checking emails, social media feeds, or online shopping requires accounts, hackers use varying methods to monitor, intercept, and deceive their way to obtaining login credentials or taking the accounts over outright.
The damage they’re able to do from there depends on the type of compromised account and the user’s cybersecurity habits. They can lock you out of the account by changing its password or using the original one to access any other accounts you use it for.
Hackers may also use any personally identifiable information they uncover for identity theft. Stolen credit cards and banking info let them commit financial fraud.
What Methods Do Hackers Use to Compromise Public Wi-Fi Networks?
Since public Wi-Fi security and user behavior are lax, hackers have devised a wide array of methods to exploit both. Here are the most common and damaging ones.
1. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
An MITM attack happens when an attacker connected to the same network as the victim uses specialized software to intercept and alter the communication between the user and the websites or online services they access. The hacker can then intercept any unencrypted information, like login credentials.
2. Packet Sniffing
The method for packet sniffing is similar to MITM, except the attacker monitors and intercepts data packets without altering or redirecting them. Any unencrypted data will display as plaintext, which the attacker can sift through to uncover account credentials, personal messages, and more.
3. DNS Spoofing
Each website has a domain name like Google that’s easy for people to remember. That name corresponds to a numerical Internet Protocol or IP address. Hackers can manipulate the registry that links them (the Domain Name System or DNS) to direct queries to believable fake websites that capture any data the victim types in.
4. Evil Twins & Rogue Access Points
Both attacks start by creating a fake network that lets the hacker monitor what anyone who connects to it does. Evil twins impersonate existing networks to appear more trustworthy. For example, coffee shop customers might see the shop’s name in its Service Set Identifier (SSID) and won’t think twice about connecting. Rogue APs may have “free airport Wi-Fi” or a similarly enticing name.
In the summer of 2024, an Australian man was arrested and charged with multiple counts of creating evil twin networks and stealing connected user data.
5. Session Hijacking
This type of attack aims to capture the victim’s session cookie. Since these remain valid for a time, the hacker can use them to access an account without stealing its username and password. While limited to that single account, session hijacking can still result in account and identity theft or the distribution of malicious links and fake messages to your friends if your social media gets compromised.
How Can You Prevent These Attacks?
Despite all the dangers, safe public Wi-Fi usage is possible. However, it requires a combination of the right cybersecurity tools and responsible user behavior.
Many attacks we listed are only possible due to lack of encryption, which you can overcome by always using a virtual private network when connecting to free Wi-Fi.
The VPN uses an encrypted tunnel to shield the connection, scrambling any data you exchange and preventing hackers from monitoring internet usage. They may still register traffic, but they can’t identify what specific data is being transmitted or which websites you’re visiting.
How you approach public Wi-Fi can also lessen the risk significantly. Always check if a website’s address starts with https, and refrain from entering any login info or sensitive details while on free Wi-Fi.
Also, make sure to check that the address you’re on is identical to the official one. “Bank.com” and “Bank.biz” are NOT the same, and the latter is likely a fake duplicate.
Final Lines
Finally, use complex and unique passwords for each account to keep the theft of one password from affecting others. Don’t store passwords in plaintext or copy them manually.
Rather, use the password manager you can find to speed up effective password creation, secure them in an encrypted vault, and fill them in automatically without exposure.
