It's easy to think we're safe from fraud in our own homes – but this is not the case.
WIFI has opened the world to a barrage of potential fraud hacks/scams which happen every day somewhere in the world....so don't let it happen to you.
Here are some top tips for keeping safe at home and whilst out and about:
Check the authenticity
Always ask the owner of the Wi-Fi hotspot for the correct network name and password.
Be wary if there is no password (for Wi-Fi protected access), as this will mean the connection is unencrypted, and pay close attention to potentially spoofed hotspots that bear close resemblance to the official name.
Make sure that your home WIFI password is secure, not easily guessed and not the original one it came with…
Look for HTTPS
You should ensure that the web pages you visit are encrypted where possible. You can check this by looking for https at the start of the web address, or look for the security padlock sign.
This indicates that the website, and that particular page, has a valid digital certificate and up-to-date encryption, thus making attacks much less likely.
If there is no encryption, log out!!
Avoid accessing sensitive information
By and large, public Wi-Fi networks should not be used to access email, online banking and credit card accounts, or any other sensitive data for the matter. Your best bet is doing that from home, where hopefully your internet service provider delivered router is both password-and firewall-protected.
Use a VPN
If you’ve been given one – USE IT. This is a safe way of surfing the web in an encrypted manner.
VPN solutions provide encryption and security across public networks, as well as masking your IP address so that opportunities for phishing are dramatically reduced.
Logout when finished
Don’t stay permanently signed in to your personal accounts when accessing public Wi-Fi hotspots as you may leave yourself exposed. For further security, log out from each website after each session.
Please remember that public WIFI networks are not always as safe as you would assume.
IF IN DOUBT – LOG OUT!!
Contact your Local Counter Fraud Specialist, Adele Jowett, for any advice on 07771 390 544