Beware Free Wi-Fi

By Northstar Financial Planners

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Airline travel is coming back. People are starting to crowd up airports and hotels, as well as the 21st century’s most important public space: Starbucks. If you find yourself in one of those spaces, obviously your first concern should be proper COVID protocols. But don’t forget, your personal data is also at risk.  

Jim Farnes from Connections for Business says he receives two related questions from clients who travel a lot: “How do I protect computer, phone, tablet, and other mobile devices from getting hacked at an airport or hotel?” and “Is airline Wi-Fi safe?”[1]

When we travel, we want free and “safe” Wi-Fi. But Jim says free isn’t safe. And if you have financial information on your device, or maybe a quick link to your bank account or investment account, you could be bearing a big risk if someone gains access. So here are some ways to protect your data and assets from hackers: 

  1. If you have an unlimited data plan on your phone, use it as a hotspot. Contact your provider to confirm your phone plan includes hotspot access. Some don’t.

  2. Purchase a WiMAX Wi-Fi Hotspot from your phone company. An AT&T WiMAX will run you about $25 month. It’s a portable device a little thicker than six credit cards put together. You can attach multiple devices securely in any public place. It also serves as a backup internet service when your regular provider goes down.

  3. Whether you work from a traditional office, home office, or on the road, a virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to protect yourself on the internet.[2] When you are using public Wi-Fi, your computer or phone are not protected.

The current top six software VPNs are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, PrivateInternetAccess, Surfshark, CyberGhost, and IPVanishVPN. They all do the same thing: protect your data and “spoof” your location, making it more difficult for hackers to find you. Each VPN software has strengths and limitations. Some are better than others depending on your needs for streaming, P2P support, and the number of devices you can install it on.

Remember: If a device can be accessed, it can be compromised. An open Wi-Fi network requires no form of authorization or authentication. Any user with a device supporting Wi-Fi can access a Wi-Fi network. If a hacker can reach the device, he or she can compromise it.[3] Even if you are not flying yet but still use public Wi-Fi, you need to protect your company and personal data with your own private hotspot or VPN application.