ERIE, Pa., Aug. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Wi-Fi
helps us stay connected no matter where we go. It's convenient to
use at a coffee shop, a neighborhood restaurant or at the airport,
but how safe is it? Unfortunately, cyber criminals can log in to
the same free network that you do and attempt to gain access to
your devices and personal information.
"The Wi-Fi may be free, but that doesn't mean your online
activities are safe," says Cheryl
Lorei, a senior IT analyst at Erie Insurance. "The big
concern with public Wi-Fi is that your information could be
available to anyone on the network. It's nothing against the
businesses that offer free Wi-Fi, it's just that they're not in the
business of keeping your personal information safe."
Here are five key things that you need know about public Wi-Fi
security and how to keep your personal information safe:
- Watch out for phony Wi-Fi access
points. Fake routers are designed to look
legitimate, but hackers operate them. With this popular method,
called a man-in-the-middle attack, the invader tries to
get between you and your personal information that is stored on a
banking website or in an email. Experts suggest asking the business
owner or hotel to verify the network name before you connect to
it.
- Never automatically connect to a public
network. Once you're finished using one, remove the
public Wi-Fi connection from your device by choosing "Forget this
Network." If your device is still in the mode of actively trying to
connect, a hacker may notice and create a phony access
point.
- Limit your activity while using public
Wi-Fi. When you're using free Wi-Fi, it's not a
good time to shop online, use social media or access your bank
account or email. "You want to avoid visiting websites that save
and store your personal passwords or credit card numbers," says
Lorei. "You could inadvertently make it easy for someone to access
your personal information. Once they have your password, they will
try to reuse it repeatedly to access other sites to gain more
information about you."
- Use secured websites or a VPN service. Generally,
it's best to access secure websites that begin
with https rather than http.
The s in the address is an indication that the
site uses a secured encryption Web protocol to protect the
confidentiality of online activities or transactions. A virtual
private network (VPN) also offers a connection that is encrypted
and secured. VPN can help protect you from digital eavesdropping
even when you're on public Wi-Fi. The fees for basic VPN services
are less than $10 a month.
- Turn your smartphone into a secure personal
hotspot. Most mobile phones can be turned into hotspots
and support several devices at once. However, check your data plan
before you try it to avoid unexpected expenses.
If your identity is stolen, it can be difficult and costly to
recover. Insurance coverage is available for identity theft and
fraud. With Erie Insurance's Identity Theft Recovery
Coverage, you'll get help with the recovery process and coverage
for expenses like charges for credit reports, lost wages and even
some legal fees. The cost of the coverage is low, and it can be
added to a home or renters insurance policy.
Your local Erie Insurance agent can give you more
information.
Erie Insurance Group
According to A.M. Best
Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie,
Pennsylvania, is the
9th largest homeowners insurer and 12th
largest automobile insurer in the United States based on
direct premiums written and the 16th largest
property/casualty insurer in the United States based on
total lines net premium written. The Group, rated A+
(Superior) by A.M. Best Company, has more than 5 million
policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District
of Columbia. Erie Insurance Group is a FORTUNE 500
company.
News releases and more information about Erie Insurance
Group are available at www.erieinsurance.com.
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SOURCE Erie Insurance Group