Free Wi-Fi is something people can never get enough of. It doesn't matter if you're roaming the markets in Dhaka or sitting at a cafe abroad, saving up on your data usage is always good practice. However, things can get a bit tricky and dangerous when you aren't aware of the security issues one can face if not careful.
More and more venues provide free Wi-Fi hotspots, even your smartphone can become a hotspot for your other devices. The problem is there are individuals out there that might take advantage of those security holes by intercepting your data. But not to worry, there are ways to save your laptops and smartphones from being hacked.
Windows
If you're using a Windows device, the procedure is quite simple. Head to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Centre > Change Advanced Sharing Settings. Once there, under Public heading, turn the file sharing toggle off. While you're at it, you might want to turn on the Windows Firewall when connecting to a public network. This can be found in Control Panel > Windows Firewall.
Mac
The process on a Mac device is as simple as in Windows. Open up System Preferences and head to the Sharing icon. From there, uncheck the box next to File Sharing. You'll also be able to turn the firewall on by heading to System Preferences, Security & Privacy and click the Firewall tab.
Using VPN
If you're desktop or laptop isn't already hooked into your office's VPN, there are some proper alternatives. SecurityKISS offers ad-free VPN access with a 300MB per day limit. Which is actually a pretty good deal, just enough to check emails, look through maps or casually use the Web. There are also software to protect you from having your browsing session being hijacked, like Disconnect.me, which is an extension for Chrome, Opera and Safari.
Never too safe
A sure way to keep the hackers away, or at least minimise the damage is to simply check for HTTPS. That "S" after the HTTP keeps the browsing experience a very safe one. You can add this to any URL, just as long as the site allows it. But rest assured the majority of sites you will visit well allow this addition to the browsing setup. Check for the recommended HTTPS Everywhere extension.
The extra steps
If you're on your smartphone or laptop, never update your apps through public Wi-Fi hotspots. There is a big chance of malware being installed with the update, and no one desires such a thing. Well, maybe those pesky hackers. This can happen anywhere, from hotels, a popular cafe to rarely visited restaurants. In addition, it's a good idea to enable a two-factor authentication. If someone figures out your password somehow, you'll always have an extra level of security waiting to block entry.
Done and dusted
The last little step to ensure you've successfully and safely used a public Wi-Fi is to simply forget the network. That's right, don't think about saving the network unless you know it'll be 100 percent safe, like the one at your relatives home or a friend's home. On Windows, go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center and click on the recently added network name. Click on Wireless Properties and uncheck Connect automatically when this network is in range.
On the Mac, go to System Preferences, then to Network. Under the Wi-Fi section, click Advanced. From there, uncheck "Remember networks this computer has joined." There are other options you can check and uncheck underneath the first option.
For Android devices, head to your Wi-Fi network list, long press the network name and select Forget Network. For iOS, head to Settings, choose Wi-Fi networks, click the "i" icon next to the network name, and choose Forget This Network.