Free Wi-Fi can be useful in airports, hotels, restaurants, schools, offices, and other public places.
But convenience should not make you careless with your personal information.
Before connecting, confirm the correct network name.
A fake network can sometimes be created with a name that looks similar to the genuine one.
Avoid carrying out sensitive activities on an unfamiliar public network when possible.
This includes accessing important financial accounts or entering sensitive personal information.
Your mobile data may be a better option for activities that require more privacy.
You should also keep your phone and computer updated.
Software updates often contain security improvements that fix known weaknesses.
Turn off automatic connection to open Wi-Fi networks if you do not need it.
After using a public network, you can also remove it from your saved networks so your device does not reconnect automatically later.
Technology makes it easier to stay connected, but every connection should not automatically be trusted.
Lesson: Free internet can be convenient, but protecting your information should remain more important than saving mobile data.
