Is Public Wi-Fi Safe? Tips to Know.

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When you go into an airport, coffee shop or mall, connecting to free public Wi-Fi is convenient for sending emails, checking social media or even sending a text, but using it can be risky.

A common tactic scammers use to collect your personal information, emails, credit card numbers and passwords is by setting up their own "evil twin" network with the same name as an already existing public Wi-Fi network. The scammer hopes that your computer or device will connect to the network without asking for permission. Another way scammers try to access your information is by launching a "man in the middle" attack, by hacking in between you and your Wi-Fi connection.

It is important to note that any data you send over free public Wi-Fi is vulnerable, so be diligent about how you use these networks.

When you are using a public Wi-Fi network, be sure to follow these tips:

• Even if it seems obvious, ask an employee at the location offering free public Wi-Fi for the name of the network. Just because you are at the airport, don’t just assume that “free airport Wi-Fi” is a legitimate wireless network; it could have been set up by a hacker to trick you into connecting.
• Avoid online banking, checking emails, making credit card purchases or even posting on social media on public Wi-Fi.
• Check your device’s settings to make sure it doesn’t automatically connect to any free public Wi-Fi that you’re in range of.
• Stick to browsing the web, checking news, weather, or traffic when on public Wi-Fi. When possible, avoid sites that require you to share login information such as a user name and password.
• If you find you use public Wi-Fi regularly, play it safe and sign up for a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that keeps your data secure by routing your communications through a secure, third-party server.  Some are free, while others charge a subscription.

When it comes to fraud, vigilance is our number one weapon. You have the power to protect yourself and your loved ones from scams. In order to have the most up to date information on how to protect yourself from fraud, subscribe to Fraud Watch News Network emails  here.

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The AARP Fraud Watch Network can help you protect yourself and your family from frauds and scams. Call our free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling.