Working In A Coffee Shop? Is It Safe To Use Public WiFi?

Summary: This 3-minute article discusses the cyber security dangers of using public wifi. Learn some simple steps you can take to work securely in a public setting. For more business IT solutions, contact GEEKAID Computer and Network Support at https://www.geek-aid.com/ to discuss your SMB’s IT support needs.

Remote access work has reached unprecedented levels. More people work from their homes or in public places such as coffee shops, airports, train and bus stations. As a result, Portability has become a key benefit of using cell phones, tablets and laptops. However, when out and about, securing your devices and your connection presents a whole new set of security challenges.

The pandemic was a golden goose for hackers. As SMBs scrambled to establish new work-from-home models, they did not necessarily concentrate enough on evaluating and upgrading their security protocols to adjust to the new remote workforce. Ideally, one shouldn’t use public WiFi at all. But at times, there is no other option. Fortunately, there are several ways of securing your devices for remote work:

• Purchase and Install a VPN – VPNs or Virtual Private Networks are a great additional layer of security to add to all your mobile devices. VPNs use “tunneling” technology to create a secure, anonymous connection within your connection, cloaking your IP address and location and encrypting your data end to end. In addition, by selecting a VPN server in another geographic location, often another country, cybercriminals will not be able to track your online activities. As a result, virtual Private Networks have become fundamental to mobile cyber security and using VPNs on public WiFi is a robust solution for working safely while on the go.
• Check the Strength and Security of Your Signal – It is an excellent practice always to ensure your WiFi signal is strong and secure. For example, suppose your WiFi says Weak Security or any other warning about your connection. In that case, you should abort what you’re doing and limit your use to applications that do not require an online connection. Working remotely without the proper cyber security in place is not worth the cyber exposure. Even if you are using a VPN or browsing incognito, unsecured public WiFi opens the door for someone to gain access to your device.
• Be Aware of Physical Privacy – It is prudent not to sit next to or behind anyone when working in public. You do not want to permit anyone to be physically looking over your shoulder when working with private data.
• Use Up-to-Data Anti-Virus Scanning at All Times – A robust anti-virus program should be running at all times when working in a public WiFi setting. Constantly scanning for viruses will allow you to receive alerts for any attempts at intrusions into your device.
• Keep Your Devices With You – Unattended devices are invitations to cybercriminals. For example, leaving your laptop on a table to go to the restroom is a risky practice. Even if you have a laptop lock shackling your machine to a table, any time your laptop or table is left alone and out of your immediate sight, it is at risk of being tampered with in many ways. If you use a cable lock, logging off your device before leaving it is a standard best practice for making it more difficult for a cyber thief to compromise.
• Install All Updates – By keeping your system and apps updated with all the releases from the software developers, you will be adding more cyber security to your mobile work setting. In addition, many updates contain crucial security fixes to support your overall security. If possible, set your system and all your apps on automatic updates. It will be one less thing about which to worry.

Case Study

An accountant from Long Island, NY, just missed her train on her morning commute. The next train was due in 17 minutes, so she walked back into the train station waiting room and booted up her laptop to check emails and maybe do some work. Unbeknownst to her, there was a hacker pretending to be waiting for a train, sitting two rows over. Little did she know he was poised to breach her laptop’s connection as soon as she logged onto the train station’s public WiFi. Meanwhile, the accountant didn’t bother to activate her company’s VPN because she thought she’d be working such a short time that it wouldn’t matter. Within 5 minutes, the hacker had gained access to her laptop and was breaching her data and online activities as she worked.

Two weeks later, clients of the accountant found that their financial data and projections were in the hands of their competitors. As accounting is a high compliance business, the cyberattack placed the accountant’s practice in jeopardy.

It’s Best NOT To Use Public WiFi

Although many businesspeople look forward to filling waiting time with work or enjoy working in places like coffee shops, it is best never to use public WiFi. In the case of remote work, public means exposure. So, if possible, you should never use Public WiFi. Although a slower connection, using a hotspot is a better alternative.

Mobile Device Security For Small Business

Protecting mobile devices from cyberattacks is vital to securing your home office CPUs and is part of any SMB’s IT Maintenance plan. Additionally, cyber security is more important than ever for securing your newly expanded remote access workforce.