What an unsecured Wi-Fi network means and the risks<\/h2>\n
Connecting to an unsecured network may not be the first concern that comes to mind when accessing free Wi-Fi on vacation. The first reaction most travelers have after being frustrated with no service is to connect to the strongest network to finally be able to scroll through social media again. Unfortunately, not all public networks that appear on your screen will always be safe. If you happen to be using an unsecured connection on your smart device, you have a higher risk of being hacked. Be aware of the exact network name if you\u2019re staying at a resort or hotel, or wherever you are, because hackers can simply create a malicious network with a similar SSID (service set identifier; aka the network name).<\/p>\n The risks to unintentionally connecting: If you\u2019re connected to, let\u2019s say, \u2018Hotel Casino Floor\u2019 Wi-Fi but in fact, the hotel casino\u2019s Wi-Fi is \u2018Casino Floor\u2019, odds are you\u2019re using an unsecured network. Once connected, you give the network access to your device, which can intercept anything from your bank account, email, and any other app or site that is opened or has your passwords saved. We\u2019re not telling you that the hotel\u2019s Wi-Fi is unsafe to use; it probably is safe. What we are saying is that a hacker (who\u2019s possibly sitting near you) can almost mimic that Wi-Fi name to trick both you and your device into thinking you\u2019re using a strong Wi-Fi specific to your location \u2026 like Hotel Casino Floor. The best advice we can offer is to double check the network before you connect!<\/p>\n Haven’t planned your next trip yet? Book round trip flights<\/a> now to get started!\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n The purpose of Wi-Fi is to be able to search the Web and have internet service. When you\u2019re using the Internet, look at the browser bar. At the very beginning of the URL, you should see HTTPS. The letter S indicates that the site is secure. Without secure data encryption, it’s easy for a hacker to intercept the site, watch what you\u2019re doing on the site, and steal your information like credit card numbers and your home address (if you\u2019re making a purchase on an e-commerce site).<\/p>\n If you have a Wi-Fi to connect to but there are a number of similar networks, don\u2019t just choose any. Try to log into one by entering an incorrect password. If the wrong password successfully connects, it\u2019s a sign that something is not right. Being that you\u2019re connected with the wrong password shows that the connection is unsecured and potentially malicious.\u00a0Keep in mind that most places, be a resort or an aircraft, will only have one Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n To be safe, use anti-virus software on your devices when you\u2019re connected to a public Wi-Fi network.<\/p>\n If your device is set to automatically connect to nearby Wi-Fi, your device may choose to connect with a malicious one without any warning to you. To prevent this from happening, check your settings on your devices and change them if needed. For instance, in settings on an iPhone, you can enable \u2018Ask to Join Networks\u2019 that are in your range instead of letting it automatically connect.<\/p>\n Another precaution you can take is to turn off your wireless Bluetooth when you\u2019re not using it. If you\u2019re using a public network (one that doesn\u2019t require a password to connect) do NOT update any apps or software on your devices. If a notification pops up informing you to update your phone or computer, this may be a hacker trying to gain access to your device. Lastly, update your devices’ apps and software (if recommended) before leaving home and change your passwords to be more challenging, making it harder for hackers to attack your devices.<\/p>\n You may also like:\u00a0The Most Useful Travel Apps You Should Download Right NOW<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n![\"two](\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/two-young-women-on-cell-phones.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHow to know if you\u2019re using a secured network<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThings to do to stay cautious<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nAlternatives to staying connected<\/h2>\n