- Cybersecurity
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It is very common, when traveling abroad or when you have finished browsing at full speed, to make use of the available open wifi access points. But connecting your smartphone to the wireless networks of the hotel, restaurant, or airport may jeopardize the information contained in our device.
Hackers create fake WiFi hotspots in order to monitor Internet communications through so-called man-in-the-middle attacks, stealing access credentials, infecting users with malware, and performing other out-of-control actions. of the user.
"Hot spots" or public Internet access points are the networks that are present in bars, restaurants, public buildings and streets. Some ask, password, others don’t, but almost all are susceptible to hackers getting in and taking over what one does while staying connected, without the user noticing.
According to a study on consumer safety risks conducted by B2B International and Kaspersky Lab, 36% of Spanish users do not take any protection when connected to a free wifi network. In addition, 15% shop online or connect to their bank account with these networks, and only 13% check their encryption level.
Expert recommendations require users to set up their devices to request permission before connecting to a wireless network; have the latest software updates available; install anti-virus; avoid public wifi networks, especially if they don't seem trustworthy; use a VPN connection; and above all to use common sense and not to carry out banking transactions or other delicate procedures.