A Security Expert Tells Us How To Keep Your Data Safe While Using Public Wifi

The best tech privacy advice is to only always use networks that you trust. Assuming you or the person you know has set up their network with security in mind, this can help put your mind at ease when it comes to hackers. But the reality is that there may be times when you need a connection — right now — and you’re in a public space. And, during those times, public Wifi is a great tool to have, as long as you keep a few tips in mind when using it. Here, Tech Security Expert Marcin Gwizdala, head of technology at Tidio, tells us how to keep your data safe while using public Wifi. 

Across the board, the number one public Wifi tip you’ll hear is: use a VPN when using public Wifi. “It makes it much harder for anyone to steal your data while browsing and ensures you are connected to a secure server,” Gwizdala said.

However, if for any reason you cannot use VPN, Gwizdala reminds us to protect ourselves by being cautious about what data we agree to share. “Often when you connect to public wifi, you are asked a bunch of questions like your phone number or email,” Gwizdala said. “If you don’t have a choice and absolutely have to connect to a network like this, make sure you are in a place you know and trust. Another good practice is to create a separate email address to share for these purposes rather than your main one.”

“Another good practice is to stick to HTTPS websites when browsing with public wifi,” Gwizdala said. “Avoid unencrypted HTTP connections (usually, they are easy to spot as there is the ‘not secure’ label). HTTPS pages are encrypted, which makes browsing on a public network a bit less risky.”

Using public Wifi will always be riskier than using one you know is secure. But for those times when you must, use a VPN tool, avoid doing anything risky (like banking or shopping online), and keep an eye out for unencrypted sites.