How Does a VPN Protect You on Public Wi-Fi?

Posted on Dec 15, 2018 by Summer Hirst
wifi

If you are not a big shot hacker but want to hack into people’s accounts, the easiest way to do it is through phishing. But phishing doesn’t work on someone who won’t open your emails. The next easiest thing to do is to monitor their traffic on a public Wi-Fi. And it’s super easy with tools such as Firesheep. Scary, right?

Public Wi-Fi connections are generally open, unsecured and relatively easy to hack.

That’s not all. Hackers can set up their own Wi-Fi networks as honeypots to lure unsuspecting users. When you connect to such a network, your traffic becomes visible to people who set it up. This means any usernames or passwords you enter when you are on that Wi-Fi connection can be seen by the hackers.

Use a VPN to protect your privacy and security on Public Wi-Fi

Virtual Private Networks encrypt your data so anyone who is snooping on your network will not be able to read what you’re transmitting. Most VPN services provide a secure connection that you can depend on.

When you get a VPN, make sure it offers these features:

  • Strong encryption that doesn’t get hacked easily
  • A large network of servers
  • No logs policy
  • Easy-to-use apps

Once you connect to a VPN, if someone listens in to your conversations, all they will get is encrypted data that they will never be able to understand. So, when you use a VPN on a public Wi-Fi, your usernames, passwords, bank details, credit card numbers, and everything else stays secure.

VPNs are not just for public Wi-Fi connections. They will keep you secure even on your mobile data and your home broadband.

So the next time you use a public Wi-Fi, make sure you stay safe using a VPN.