11 Ways to Increase Your Safety on Public Wi-Fi Networks

Browsing the internet on public Wi-Fi networks may be convenient, but it can also be dangerous if you are not careful. Hackers can easily access your confidential information while you are online, and your sensitive data could end up being sold to third parties or used in phishing schemes against you. Luckily, there are many things you can do to increase your safety while surfing on public Wi-Fi networks to protect yourself from harm. Here are 11 ways to increase your safety on public Wi-Fi networks. Change your device name When it comes to Wi-Fi security, public Wi-Fi networks are a unique beast. They might not be as safe as you think. So, what is a person with an internet connection supposed to do? To increase your safety when using public Wi-Fi, take some time to change your device name. Just change or set up a new SSID (the default name) for your network and keep encryption disabled. Hackers use common names like attwifi or Linksys to identify vulnerable devices. By changing these default names, you can reduce the risk of being tracked by hackers while browsing online. Use a secure Wi-Fi network It can be tempting to instantly connect your phone or computer to an open Wi-Fi network when you are active. Unfortunately, most public Wi-Fi networks are full of security risks. If you do not want your personal information exposed, it is best not to use these networks at all—or only use them in a pinch. The safest …