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There is no secret that modern students use the Internet a lot in their lives. Surveys reveal that most young adults spend between 5 and 6 hours on the web. And the number of hours keeps increasing as the field of education continues digitizing.
Now, most of the schoolwork is indeed done online. Students access online classrooms and complete their assignments using the Internet. Even when they are not feeling like doing their homework, they get on the Internet to find an essay writing service to write my paper for me and delegate essay writing to professionals. On top of that, young people rarely have a solid Internet connection in a dorm. Thus, they use public Wi-Fi a lot, which makes them especially vulnerable to cyber threats.
Top Dangers of Using Public Wi-Fi
In today’s world, we are so used to leveraging technology on a daily basis that we often don’t see the real hazards that are there. Moreover, surveys reveal that most users find public Wi-Fi secure by default. However, this is just an illusion.
In reality, cybersecurity specialists identify a variety of hidden dangers of public Wi-Fi networks, which include:
- Online victim profiling (can lead to identity theft);
- Theft of your passwords;
- Infection of your gadgets with harmful malware;
- Business email compromise;
- Session hijacking;
- Snooping for confidential data;
- Ransomware attacks;
- Establishing remote control over your gadgets;
- Phishing attacks;
- Theft of your online accounts, etc.
These are just a few of the many hazards that are waiting for you on the web. Whether you are researching the information, reading essay writing service reviews, or just chatting with a friend—you never know when one of these issues can happen to you. And public networks are the most risky.
Unlike your home Wi-Fi, public networks are overloaded with users, which makes them lucrative prey for cybercriminals. On top of that, many public establishments choose cheap routers and access points and often neglect essential security measures. Due to these reasons, the number of cybercrime keeps rising. In 2021, 1 in 2 American users reported an account breach. In 2022, 39% of businesses in the UK reported dealing with a cyber attack. In the first half of the same year, a whopping 53.35 million US citizens fell victim to cybercrime.
4 Tips for Students to Protect Themselves From Public Wi-Fi Risks
Due to the rising number of cybercrimes, the level of responsibility among Internet users keeps growing, especially in colleges. UNICEF reports that as much as 80% of youth around the globe recognize that the web can be a danger. They know about the potential risks and are willing to take the necessary measures to protect themselves. Still, many don’t know how to mitigate the risks of public Wi-Fi, in particular.
To help you stay safe when browsing the web, below are a few handy safety tips.
Ensure You Connect to the Right Network
Sometimes, criminals create twin networks of trusted Wi-Fi spots that look absolutely harmless. However, by connecting to them, you can end up in a lot of trouble, even if doing something harmless like writing an essay for college. So the first safety tip is to always check if you are connecting to the right network, the one created by the facility from which you are browsing the web. To ensure this, simply ask an employee for the correct network details.
Disable File Sharing
Some bad actors may use file-sharing tools (such as AirDrop) to deliver harmful files to users through public networks. These files can infect your devices with malware or even give criminals remote control. To avoid this, be sure to keep your gadgets’ file-sharing features off when using public Wi-Fi.
Pick Secured Wi-Fi Spots
Typically, unsafe networks don’t have any security features like login or password. Secured networks, on the contrary, will typically require you to enter a password, register an account, or agree to the network’s terms and conditions. Whenever possible, pick secured Wi-Fi.
Install a VPN
VPN tools are great for online security. They hide your IP address and the entire browsing history from everyone, including cybercriminals and even intrusive marketers. By using a VPN, you can add another layer of security to your devices. With its help, you can surf the web, use the best paper writing services for academic success, complete your tasks, and do anything else on the Internet. And no one will ever know who you are and what you are doing on the web.
The Bottom Line
Although the hazards of public Wi-Fi networks are real, staying safe isn’t as hard as it seems. Now you know more about the risks that are there and the ways to protect yourself from them. Start using them right now to surf the web from anywhere without having to worry about your security.
