Public Wi-Fi, while helpful for staying connected, may pose a security risk to consumers. This is due to the fact that hackers can utilize flaws in public Wi-Fi networks to steal personal information, implant malware, or disrupt internet activities.
The Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack is one of the risks utilized by hackers at public WiFi networks. In this attack, hackers operate incognito and modify communication streams, disguising their incursion as genuine data. When the sensitive data enters into the wrong hands as a result of this deceit, naïve users are put at danger.
Another approach is eavesdropping, which involves hackers capturing unencrypted network traffic using tools such as packet analyzers. Another tactic tagged rogue hotspots is used by hackers to monitor connected users via bogus Wi-Fi networks. Rogue hotspots and honeypot networks operate similarly, and expose devices to malware and exploitation.
Another approach is spoofing, which involves hackers imitating network devices in order to divert traffic. While unauthorized access to accounts is granted through session hijacking, public Wi-Fi may also be used to propagate viruses, steal data, or manipulate devices. Finally, hackers also public Wi-Fi to duplicate login pages in order to steal passwords.
To avert this, hotspot owners should secure networks, use web filtering, and build trust. Public Wi-Fi users should also employ DNS filtering like SafeDNS, avoid sharing, be careful online, and use HTTPS for encryption.
The sources for this piece include an article in TheHackerNews.
