Hello! I'm Shemhaza, a Sentinel (Guardian). Speaking of which, do you use 'free Wi-Fi' when you're out and about? Free Wi-Fi is now conveniently available everywhere, from cafes and train stations to airports. You might connect to it casually, thinking, 'It saves on my smartphone's data usage.' But did you know that free Wi-Fi actually harbors many unseen dangers? This time, I'll share the correct way to use free Wi-Fi and some special tips to protect your smartphone and computer from cybercrime!
Unseen Traps Lurking in Free Wi-Fi!
While free Wi-Fi is convenient for everyone to use, it can sometimes hide traps set by malicious individuals. Here are the main dangerous tactics:
- ▸① Your information exposed?! 'Eavesdropping on communications'
- ▸Many free Wi-Fi networks do not encrypt communication content (Wi-Fi without a lock icon). If you connect to such Wi-Fi, the content of your emails, login IDs, passwords, and credit card information that you send and receive could easily be intercepted by malicious individuals using the same Wi-Fi.
- ▸② Looks just like the real thing, but highly dangerous! 'Fake Wi-Fi (Spoofing Wi-Fi)'
- ▸Malicious individuals sometimes set up 'fake Wi-Fi' using names (SSIDs) that closely resemble the legitimate Wi-Fi of stations or cafes. If you accidentally connect to these, all your communications will pass through these malicious parties, risking theft of your important information or redirection to fake websites.
- ▸③ Your smartphone or PC gets a virus?! 'Malware Infection'
- ▸There are also cases where weak free Wi-Fi security is exploited to try and deliver 'malware' such as viruses to your smartphone or computer. If infected, there is a risk of information being stolen or your device being operated without your permission.
Checkpoints to Protect Yourself
To protect yourself from these dangers, pay attention to the following when using free Wi-Fi:
- ✓Check if the Wi-Fi has a lock icon and if the provider is clearly identified.
- ✓Do not enter personal information or credit card details, or log in to online banking.
- ✓Keep Wi-Fi's 'auto-connect' feature turned off at all times.
- ✓Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service to encrypt your communications.
- ✓Check that the website URL starts with 'https://' and immediately stop using it if any suspicious warnings appear.
Where to Seek Help When You're in Trouble
If you feel like you 'might have been a victim,' don't keep it to yourself; please consult someone immediately. For unauthorized credit card use, contact your card company right away. For any other concerns, you can contact the Consumer Hotline at '188' or the Police Consultation Helpline at '#9110'.