That's particularly important when you’re using an open network if the router isn’t properly encrypting your data, your VPN will. One of the simplest things you could do is get a VPN and use it as often as possible. If you don't, your smartphone could connect to a random network when you’re walking down the street and you wouldn’t even know.
Related: How to Prevent Your Devices From Auto-Connecting to Networks If your device automatically connects to any open network you come in range of, then you need to disable it immediately. Here's how to protect your devices while using an open network-although these are good practices, no matter the type of internet connection! Disable Auto-Connect There are a few simple security measures you could implement today to stay safe online. There's no need to swear off public Wi-Fi for good or abandon technology when it comes to finances and keeping private information. Yes, they can simply ask you for your password, and-if they’re good enough and you’re none the wiser-you might end up giving it out. In fact, you're the ultimate target.Īnother way they can get your password is by using social engineering. Otherwise, you could easily fall victim to this type of attack.
To protect against this, you password needs to be long, full of special characters, and frequently changed.
One way is using a brute-force attack: this involves specialized software trying countless combinations of passwords until they find the right one.
But hackers have many ways of getting past these. One place you might not expect an attack from is your home’s network.
What might seem like a harmless prank can be used by hackers to steal your passwords and financial information.įurthermore, they can see everything you’re searching for and reading, and possibly steal sensitive information to use against you. They can even present information that isn't on the website you think you're visiting. If they succeed, they can reroute your internet traffic through their device and view it. For example, that free Wi-Fi you just connected to.Ī Man-in-the-Middle attack is when a hacker uses a computer or smartphone to impersonate a trustworthy router. Perhaps the easiest way for cybercriminals to intercept your data is through an unsecured internet connection. There are many ways hackers can infiltrate an open network and take advantage of people’s blind trust. Since hacking is no longer especially hard or time-consuming, getting information from smartphones is profitable for many black-hat hackers.Įven if you don’t have your bank information on your smartphone, your internet browsing data in itself is valuable. Nowadays, free software available online automates most of the work for them.Īnd while you might be thinking “I’m not a worthy target”, hackers think the opposite. One doesn’t have to be a seasoned hacker, typing zeros and ones on a black screen from their basement.
Hacking into someone’s smartphone isn’t as complex as you might think. Unless, of course, you want a stranger to hack your smartphone and access all of your files. At least not without taking a few precautions. Still, just because it’s available and free doesn’t mean you should be using it. And not just cellular data: free internet is available at most restaurants, hotels, airports, and coffee shops. You might be used to having an internet connection wherever you go.