The Unexpected Wifi Network You Should Stop Using On Your iPhone, According To Tech Experts

As with browsers, all Wi-Fi networks are not one and the same. Some networks are more secure and better for your privacy and data, while others can pose a bigger threat to your security. But how can you tell the differences among them? We spoke with two tech experts to get to the bottom of the unexpected Wi-Fi network you should stop using on your iPhone. Here’s their top answer, as well as an additional point to keep in mind.

There are times when you are out and really want to look up information online or even directions to the nearest restaurant. But relying on public Wi-Fi networks is something you should only do once in a blue moon, according to tech experts.

“Connecting to public Wi-Fi networks can be tempting since they are generally free and don’t require passwords,” says Therese Schachner, a cybersecurity consultant at VPN Brains. “However, public Wi-Fi networks have many cybersecurity risks associated with them.”

Attackers can intercept Internet traffic on public Wi-Fi networks, gaining access to your usernames and passwords, credit card data, and other personal information, Schachner says. “They can also spread malicious content, such as malware, on public Wi-Fi networks,” she notes. “For example, when you try to access a website that requires login credentials, attackers on the network can send you a false version of that website and collect your username and password after you enter this information.”

Since the consequences of these cyberattacks may include identity theft and the compromise of the devices you were using to access the Internet, Schachner says it’s generally safest not to use public Wi-Fi. “Alternatively, you can take precautions, such as using VPNs, when connected to public Wi-Fi,” Schachner adds.