{"id":33940,"date":"2018-04-18T16:00:42","date_gmt":"2018-04-18T16:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/madhattertechs.com\/?p=33940"},"modified":"2018-04-18T16:25:21","modified_gmt":"2018-04-18T16:25:21","slug":"how-to-browse-safely-in-public","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madhattertechs.com\/2018\/04\/18\/how-to-browse-safely-in-public\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Browse Safely in Public"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on” transparent_background=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/madhattertechs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/vintage-1794705.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” \/][et_pb_cta title=”Does your computer have you as lost as Alice and as mad as the Hatter?” button_url=”https:\/\/madhattertechs.com\/contact-computer-repair-boise\/” url_new_window=”off” button_text=”We Can Help!” use_background_color=”off” background_color=”rgba(126,190,197,0)” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”center” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_button=”off” button_letter_spacing=”0″ button_use_icon=”default” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” button_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ \/][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”2″][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_text background_layout=”light” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” _builder_version=”3.0.105″]<\/p>\n

Public Wi-Fi hotspots are incredibly useful for anyone working in a public space, airport or any other place where you spend a significant amount of time. It\u2019s also a great alternative to save data on your monthly smartphone subscription.<\/p>\n

But, using free Wi-Fi hotspots means, you\u2019re exposed to a certain level of potential risks and it\u2019s therefore important to be aware of your security and privacy when you\u2019re connected to a public Wi-Fi network.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how to browse safely in public:<\/p>\n

1. Practice Safe Computing<\/h2>\n

Regardless what you do online or from where, it\u2019s important to always be safe and smart while browsing the internet. Keep in mind your privacy and security, especially when you\u2019re connected to a public network.<\/p>\n

For example, avoid submitting sensitive data such as payment information or personal details on websites while being connected to a public network. Instead, read the news, watch some videos or enjoy some entertainment.<\/p>\n

Obviously, if you\u2019re secured by third-party software or you have sufficient security methods enabled, it\u2019s far less risky to do your online banking on a public Wi-Fi connection.<\/p>\n

Just remember to be safe when browsing on such a network. It\u2019s not likely to fall victim to online identity theft or another type of scam, but it\u2019s better to be safe than sorry.<\/p>\n

2. Switch Off Wi-Fi When You\u2019re not Using it.<\/h2>\n

Switching off your Wi-Fi is one of the basic principles of safe computing. You don\u2019t need to be connected to a network when you\u2019re not using it at all.<\/p>\n

That means that once you finished your work, browsing or any other activity, turn off your WiFi on your device – be this laptop or smartphone.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a good security habit to develop because you won\u2019t be vulnerable or exposed to a network you\u2019re not even using.<\/p>\n

3. Avoid \u201cFree Airport Wi-Fi\u201d<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s a security difference between the Wi-Fi network at Starbucks and the Free Wi-Fi at the airport. For starters, the Wi-Fi at Starbucks is actually protected by a password and a security system. Users on a Free Airport Wi-Fi network are almost screaming \u201csteal my information<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Therefore, it\u2019s better to opt for those with some level of protection and avoid the completely free and public networks at all times.<\/p>\n

4. Always Update Your Antivirus<\/h2>\n

Whenever you\u2019re working on a public network (especially if you do this frequently), it\u2019s essential to always keep your antivirus software updated – preferably enable automatic updates. Public networks are infamously known for infecting devices with malicious software. An updated antivirus will have the latest malware and threats patched out.<\/p>\n

You can also install free antimalware software such as Malwarebytes. My top-pick for free antivirus software would be Avast.<\/p>\n

5. Privacy Protection Extensions<\/h2>\n

An extra layer of security on top of an antivirus or anti-malware is to install browser extensions that block any spammy or unsafe website or ads.<\/p>\n

Simply put, such an extension will prematurely block ads that might cause harm \u201cif\u201d you click on it.<\/p>\n

6. HTTPS vs Non-HTTPS<\/h2>\n

When you\u2019re browsing using a public connection, give preference to HTTPS websites over HTTP at all times. Simply put, HTTPS websites offer a secure connection between your browser and the web server by encrypting all the data that is being transmitted.<\/p>\n

That means that if you enter your credit card details and a hacker intercepts the transmitted data, it won\u2019t be readable because all your personal information and credit card details are encrypted into ciphertext. So, it\u2019s unreadable for the hacker and he can\u2019t abuse it.<\/p>\n

You can recognize an encrypted connection with the \u201cS\u201d in HTTPS and the green padlock icon in your browser.<\/p>\n

7. VPN (Virtual Private Network)<\/h2>\n

One of the best ways to protect your data and online privacy while browsing in public is to install a good VPN – such as NordVPN.<\/p>\n

If you are connected to an untrusted network, the perfect way to counter that is to connect to a network first, which encrypts all the data packets you\u2019re sending out.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s exactly what a VPN does.<\/p>\n

With a VPN, all your data that is being transmitted to the service provider (in this case the public Wi-Fi network) is fully encrypted by the VPN software. So, snoops on the network who might be trying to obtain your data won\u2019t be able to see anything in plaintext (unencrypted).<\/p>\n

When you select a good VPN, make sure to look for a VPN provider that isn\u2019t logging user sessions, IP addresses or leak other user information to third-parties.<\/p>\n

8. MiFi Hotspot<\/h2>\n

MiFi (Mobile Wi-Fi) is a brand of wireless routers, which fundamentally works similar to a Wi-Fi hotspot. If you use your own MiFi device, you can completely ditch the public Wi-Fi networks and avoid any of the potential threats with that.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s especially useful for frequent travelers – be that by plane or public transport. It\u2019s a perfect alternative to any public Wi-Fi connection, plus you won\u2019t have to use your mobile data.<\/p>\n

Bill here from<\/i> PixelPrivacy.com<\/i><\/a>. My blog is all about making the world of online security accessible to everyone. I pride myself in writing guides that I\u2019m certain even my own mom could read! Be sure to head over to my blog if you\u2019re interested in keeping your private information just that: Private!<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Public Wi-Fi hotspots are incredibly useful for anyone working in a public space, airport or any other place where you spend a significant amount of time. It\u2019s also a great alternative to save data on your monthly smartphone subscription. But, using free Wi-Fi hotspots means, you\u2019re exposed to a certain level of potential risks and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":33947,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Browse Safely in Public - Mad Hatter Techs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/madhattertechs.com\/2018\/04\/18\/how-to-browse-safely-in-public\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Browse Safely in Public - Mad Hatter Techs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Public Wi-Fi hotspots are incredibly useful for anyone working in a public space, airport or any other place where you spend a significant amount of time. 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