Watch Your (Public) Wi-Fi Use!

Free public Wi-Fi, available at places like airports and coffee shops, are convenient, but can be risky.

Scammers monitor commonly used Wi-Fi network names, and set up their own “evil twin” access points in hopes your computer or device will automatically connect to it without your consent.   Or they launch a “man in the middle” attack, by hacking into the connection between you and the free Wi-Fi provider.  Their goal? To grab your emails, credit card numbers, and passwords from your computer.

Any data you send over a free public Wi-Fi network is vulnerable, so be thoughtful about how you use it.

• Ask an employee at the location offering free public Wi-Fi for the name of the network. 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.

• Stick to browsing the web and checking news, weather, or traffic when using public Wi-Fi.

• Avoid online banking, checking emails, making credit card purchases or even posting on social media when using public Wi-Fi.

• Check your device’s settings to make sure it doesn’t automatically connect to any free public Wi-Fi that is in range.

• 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.  Some are free, while others charge a subscription.

If you think you've been the victim of a scam, alert the SD Division of Consumer Protections by visiting  www.consumer.sd.gov or calling 1-800-300-1986. They can investigate your claim and help to warn other South Dakotans to stay vigilant.

When it comes to fraud, vigilance is our number one weapon.  You can join the Fraud Watch Network and receive alerts about scams happening in South Dakota. Any one of any age can join for free by visiting  aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or to receive Fraud Watch Network alerts by phone, call 1-866-542-8172.