The Ultimate Guide to Staying Safe on Public WiFi

The Ultimate Guide to Staying Safe on Public WiFi BECAUSE 'FREE' WIFI COSTS MORE THAN YOU THINK. Everyone is using public WiFi. Wireless signals are everywhere, helping people quench their thirst for all things digital, anywhere, anytime. In our recent "Mobile Device Survey," conducted with the Identity Theft Resource Center, more than 700 respondents gave insight into mobile device trends and habits. What we found may surprise you. Free Is For Me! HOW OFTEN do users THE CONVENIENCE FACTOR: DAILY connect on their mobile 17% Respondents were 3x more likely to connect to a public wireless MONTHLY devices to free public WiFi? 37% connection if it was FREE. WEEKLY 21% Location, Location, Location... The majority of survey respondents use public WiFi at the typical spots: hotels, airports, train stations, restaurants, cafes, hospitals, schools, and libraries. Intriguingly, 104 "other" responses were quite eye-opening. Some of these include: gyms, spas, pet stores, museums, churches, casinos, bowling alleys and super stores. Whatcha' Doin'? THE USUAL SUSPECTS RISKY BUSINESS: 11% 85% ONLINE BANKING SOCIAL MEDIA 71% PERSONAL 62% 13% EMAIL i INFORMATION BUSINESS/ ACCESS PRIVATE SEARCH DOCUMENTS 27% O 13% PLAY MUSIC SHOP ONLINE/ 25% USE CREDIT CARD PLAY ONLINE GAMES Ignorance Is Bliss... (Or Is It?) Do you believe that using a free public WiFi hotspot connection can lead to identity theft? 4% No 76% YES 20% I'm not sure.. The truth is that WiFi signals are just radio waves. Anyone within range can "listen in" to what you're doing online. EVEN THOUGH 76% KNEW THE RISKS OF PUBLIC WIFI: 46% were not aware that there are ways to protect your information when using free wireless hotspots. How to Protect Yourself 3 STEPS TO TAKE NOW 1. Keep your information secure with PRIVATE WiFi. Outsmart the hackers and keep your private information secure with PRIVATE WIFI, a virtual private network (VPN) that encrypts all the data going in and out of your device. Check out privatewifi.com/try to learn how a VPN can make you completely invisible to hackers on any network, anywhere in the world. 2. Pay attention to changes in your information. Watch your information, monitor your credit score, read your bank statements closely for unusual activity, and lean on resources like the Identity Theft Resource Center, IDtheftcenter.org if you have questions about identity fraud. 3. Be careful. Encrypt your data! Continue to use public WiFi but use it carefully, knowing the risks and the importance of encrypting your sensitive details with a personal VPN. Otherwise, everything you do online is public information, and that "free" WiFi can ultimately ruin your credit score and tarnish your identity forever. 79% of respondents don't use a VPN, even though they should! PROTECT YOURSELF WITH PRIVATE WIFI. Then "free" WiFi won't cost you a thing. Private Wifi