Do You Need a VPN When You’re Using Public Wi-Fi?

Public wi-fi is everywhere and it’s a win-win for everyone. Other than the fact that it’s free, you can find it in almost every corner of the city. The only problem is that it’s unsecure. But it’s inevitable; at some point, you might need to use public wi-fi to do your own stuff. But how do you keep it secure?

It’s almost impossible if you think about it. How can you keep a coffee shop’s wi-fi safe if it’s open to everyone? Well, there actually are ways on how you can keep your connection safe from any type of attack or problem.

What is a public wi-fi?

Based on its term, a public wi-fi is a wireless internet connection that allows everyone to connect to it. Public wi-fi can be found in most places and it’s often unsafe.

By unsafe, we mean that the risk of people connected to it is higher than those who have a more private connection. Since it’s an open field, anyone has the opportunity to connect to it; even the last people we want to deal with.

Where can we find public wi-fi networks?

As we have mentioned, public wi-fi can be found in almost every corner of the city. To be totally frank, they’re not hard to find. In fact, we might even detect one while we’re walking, while we’re taking the bus, or even while we’re taking coffee at our favorite cafés and coffee shops.

On average, there are over 150,000 public wi-fi hotspots in the world. This means that in every business district, you can find a public wi-fi network. But most commonly, public wi-fi hotspots are found in the following locations:

• Bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and cafés
• Hotels and airports
• Shopping centers and malls
• Public parks and public locations
• Commercial spots

These are the prime locations for cyber-criminals when hunting for prey. Why? Because most of the time, these public networks are open and unsecure.

Why are public wi-fi hotspots unsafe?

When you’ve encountered a public hotspot, did it ask you for a password? If no, then that network is considered to be unsecure. A wi-fi network is tagged as unsecure if it doesn’t require you to input a password to access it.

These networks are most known to be “open” networks and involve connections that are not encrypted. Connecting to these types of connections is like putting one leg in the grave. Hackers and other cyber-criminals consider these hotspots to be easy targets because they’re un-encrypted.

The following are the types of risk involved in connecting to an “unsafe” and “unsecure” wi-fi hotspot:

• Malware
• Hackers
• Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
• Fake wi-fi hotspots

Malware

An open unsecure network can be used by attackers to inject malware into the device of everyone connected. Malware is a dangerous software because it can provide the attacker access to your device. This includes all files, apps, contacts – they can even eavesdrop on you.

Hackers

Cyber-criminals can force-into the unsecured network to collect confidential information from people who are connected. They can find out your credentials for your social media accounts and financial accounts.

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

A man-in-the-middle attack is a type of attack that an attacker goes between two networks. The attacker joins the conversation without any of the networks knowing. This attack is mostly the culprit for exploiting real-time communication and transactions and eavesdropping.

Fake wi-fi hotspots

Ever see a public wi-fi open for all? Great, DON’T CONNECT TO IT. There’s a big chance that that hotspot is set-up by cyber-criminals to snoop into your device and get information from you.

What information is at risk from connecting to these public wi-fi hotspots?

As we’ve mentioned above, your information is at risk if you connect to unsecured hotspots. When you’re using these networks, here’s the information that are possibly at risk of being stolen:

• Your full name
• Your exact physical location/address
• Websites you recently visited/ Websites you regularly visit
• Files from your devices
• Login credentials such as usernames and passwords
• Sensitive information such as credit card numbers
• Personal communications like emails, messages, phone calls, chats, etc.

Everywhere you go, there are unsecured public wi-fi hotspots. You might not know it yet, but the one you’re using on the way to work might be unsafe. So how can you be safe while using public wi-fi? There are various ways on how you can ensure that your connection is secure. These include:

• Turning or enabling your firewall
• By turning off “automatic sharing”
• By using HTTPS for all websites you visit
• Disconnecting when you’re not using the wi-fi
• By using VPN

I can be safe while being connected to a public wi-fi hotspot using VPN?

All of those tips are to minimize the risks involved. Using VPN, however, you’re literally zeroing out the risks. A VPN or a Virtual Private Network is a type of connection that is safe and secure wherever you are. You can think of it like this: a VPN is like a tunnel that links your local IP address (your device) to the network. This means that the only ones meeting are you and the network.

What a VPN does is that it encrypts all of your internet traffic making it more secure and private. Yes, not even ISPs will be able to see the activity you do online. Not even the government can. There are a couple of VPN providers available; there are countless VPN services but of course, the great ones top the list.

Here are some of the best VPNs that can help you be protected even if you’re connected to public wi-fi.

Am I really safe if I use VPN over public wi-fi?

If you come across a public wi-fi and you have a VPN available, don’t hesitate to connect to it. Having a VPN is like adding another thick layer of security to your network. A VPN’s main function is to keep you and your network secure.

Some VPN providers offer extra security features which can be used for other things. But when it comes to security, using a VPN is the best bet you have. VPNs can be considered as another protective layer from hackers and cyber-criminals.

Now that you’re aware that VPNs can actually keep you safe, what’s stopping you from connecting to a public wi-fi hotspot? With a VPN, you can do whatever you want, wherever you want without the fear of someone gathering all of your data. Even if you ought to use a public wi-fi hotspot, you’re free from any type of risk involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are VPNs safe? 

Yes, VPNs are safe. With a reliable VPN service provider, you can protect your data, especially when using a public network. Using a VPN is still one of the most effective ways to avoid cyberattacks when using the internet. 

 Can I stream on Netflix with a VPN?

Yes, when you use a reliable VPN provider, you can bypass VPN blocks and stream content on Netflix. You can stream anonymously on public or private WiFi, through a VPN.  

What does “No Logs Policy” mean?

When a VPN provider is said to have a no-logs policy, it means the company will not save your data. Your data will be completely private.

Do I need to read my VPN provider’s privacy policy? 

Yes, it is important to read your VPN provider’s privacy policy. Ensure it includes a no-logs policy and you are comfortable with its other privacy policies. 

What is a kill switch? 

A kill switch is a VPN feature that automatically disconnects your device from the internet when your VPN connection fails. It does this to prevent data leaks and cyberattacks. 

Can I use a free VPN for public WiFi?

You can use a free VPN to hide your location, but that is not advisable. Most free VPNs do not have the necessary security features to keep you safe and private. It is better to use a paid VPN with essential security features.

Is VPN legal?

VPNs are legal in most parts of the world. It is, however, illegal in Iraq, Belarus, and North Korea. They are also restricted in China, Russia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

Will a VPN affect my internet network and connection?

Some VPN services can slow down your internet connection. A good VPN service provider will not affect your internet speed. If you use a provider like ExpressVPN or NordVPN, it will not occur.