Be my guest: Check if your router offers a guest mode. If it does, turn it on. This means visitors can get online but can’t start messing with your smart lights or using your printer — that’s getting too comfortable. And if you’re the one on a guest network or public Wi-Fi, always use a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN. Use this link to get three free months.
How to stay safe on public Wi-Fi
You don’t leave your front door unlocked. So why would you use public Wi-Fi networks without protection? Defend your private data from cybercriminals in public places with these five tips.
Stay safe on public Wi-Fi networks by avoiding significant risks
If you listen to The Kim Komando Show and Kim’s podcasts, you know about digital dangers. Accessing the internet via public Wi-Fi networks can heighten these risks even more.
Cybercriminals use public Wi-Fi to spy on unsuspecting users like you. They’ll create fake networks called “honeypots” to steal your info. Despite these risks, many people still use public Wi-Fi to bank and shop.
Sound familiar? Doing this makes it easy for bad guys to steal your identity. They could steal your bank password, credit card details or Social Security number.
You’re not safe while traveling, either. A whopping 25% of tourists have been hacked through public Wi-Fi while abroad, TravelPulse reports.
It’s time to upgrade your security strategy. The next time you want to connect to public Wi-Fi, follow these four steps.
1. Be cautious
Public Wi-Fi is open to everyone, which makes it a prime target for criminals. And every device is susceptible, whether it’s your laptop, tablet or smartphone. Several threats lurk behind links and tucked into programs that seem legitimate otherwise.
Therefore, you need an offensive strategy whenever you join a public network. Here are some things you should be skeptical of:
- The network itself: Just because a public Wi-Fi network pops up and asks if you want to join doesn’t mean it’s legitimate. If you’re at a coffee shop or hotel, ask an employee for the specific name of their Wi-Fi network. Scammers will sometimes create networks called “Coffee Shop” or “Hotel Guest” to make you believe you’re connecting to the real thing when, actually, you’re not.
- Links: Scammers can make links look enticing — but it’s all a trick. Look for red flags like outrageous claims or download prompts.
Here’s a little trick. To see what’s hiding behind a hyperlink, see what shows up in the bottom left-hand corner of your screen when you hover your mouse over it.
Why you need a VPN (even if you're not tech-savvy)
When surfing the web, you might encounter a few confusing acronyms. Take VPN, for example. You might shrug and scroll past it if you don’t know what it means. Just like that, you could miss out on the best internet privacy tool.
Your IP address: What it is and why you need to protect yours if you care about privacy
Using the internet is a complicated affair. It may not feel like that to you as a user. You click on your browser and get on with your day — it’s as easy as pie.
Behind the scenes, though, is a whole different story. It’s full of numbers like your Internet Protocol (IP) address, basically your digital home address. This numeric label distinguishes your phone or computer from other devices worldwide.
Security tip: Next time you stay at a hotel, turn on your VPN
Did you know the average American spends more than 24 hours each week online? That is a considerable chunk of time.
If you’re one of many with multiple devices regularly accessing the internet, you probably know you need a secure connection to protect sensitive data. A virtual private network or VPN is the best way to do this.
Don't let what happened to Mary on vacation happen to you: Essential travel safety tips
My friend Mary was on vacation in Rome with her 14-year-old daughter. During their visit, they stopped to take selfies. Spotting their struggle to fit themselves and the grandeur of the backdrop in the frame, a seemingly kind stranger — a man in his 30s — offered to take their picture.
5 signs of a hacked webcam
You look at your PC or Mac and notice the webcam light is on. But wait, you haven’t even opened your camera.
Hackers or even some creepy admins in a chat room can remotely take over webcams. Terrifying.
Find free Wi-Fi anywhere (but follow our No. 1 public network security rule)
Are you a work-from-home warrior? Even if you’re just somebody on vacation needing a stable Wi-Fi connection, being disconnected is no good. What can you do when you need to access the internet and can’t find Wi-Fi nearby?
10 best travel apps to plan your next adventure
Some things may have changed since your last excursion if you haven’t traveled in forever. You might even run into sticker shock regarding airfare and hotel accommodations. Tap or click here for the best budgeting apps to help get your finances in order.
Are you a victim of screen hacking? Here's how this cyberattack works
Anybody who connects to the internet is at risk of cyberattacks, hacking and scams that want to rip you off. Everybody knows it’s an inherent risk, but it’s not always easy to spot a hacking attempt. Millions of routers are at risk of hacking thanks to this bug.
Online banking checkup: 3 must-do steps to protect your login
Criminals are around every corner online, trying to steal your credentials and rip you off. From phishing emails to spoofed websites to malicious apps, there is much to worry about.
If someone gets their hands on enough of your personal information, they can steal your identity and ruin your credit. Tap or click here for signs that someone has opened a bank account in your name.
12 things you should never do online
We all make silly mistakes sometimes. We answer robocalls (those numbers do look awfully familiar), click links we should have checked first, and open spam emails.
Everyone is vulnerable and can be caught off guard. It’s what we do next that really counts. Do you believe the caller claiming to be an IRS employee, use your credit card on a sketchy site, or download files from a sender you don’t recognize?
Your stolen information is on the Dark Web - What to do next
The Dark Web keeps internet activity private and anonymous. Dark Web content isn’t indexed by search engines, and you need special software to access it. You can imagine the applications for this, such as avoiding government censorship and keeping one’s identity private.
Check your PC or Mac for a dangerous program that records your keystrokes
Criminals looking to rip you off never stop coming up with clever new ways to do it. Sometimes, their schemes run behind the scenes on your device and you may never know what’s going on.
One example comes in the form of malicious apps that are designed to run adware. Another sneaky way thieves can rip you off is through a keylogger, a program secretly installed on your device to record keystrokes.
7 IT questions we get all the time, answered
One of the most amazing results of our high-tech world is the way our lives are all interconnected. Now that we all use many of the same tools, like smartphones and computers, there are a ton of commonalities we can bond over. Take, for example, that one obnoxious inevitability we all deal with: tech issues.
5 hidden ways a VPN can make life better and more secure
Between all the cybercriminals and downright snoops in the world, it’s getting more difficult to protect your privacy.
A VPN gives you a secure bridge between your devices and the internet. You might not even realize just how important this is and all the ways a VPN comes in handy. Keep reading for five uses you might not know about.
Windows 10 warning: New ransomware changes all your passwords
The internet brought about a lot of great changes, online shopping anybody? But it also brought about many risks. Hackers have become a constant concern in our daily lives. Every time we enter our credit card online to buy something, we put our finances at risk.
Traveling soon? 10 things to think about before finalizing your plans
With COVID vaccines more available, travel is on the rise. While it may be safer to expand your horizons now than it was a year ago, you still need to take the same precautions you always have, in addition to some new ones.
Worried about malware? Don't make these mistakes with your iPhone or iPad
When it comes to mobile devices, it’s Apple vs. everyone else. The iOS-powered iPhone and iPad are produced by the same company, while you can get an Android device from many manufacturers. The debate is one for the ages, but Apple fans have always had one key argument in their favor: malware and virus protection.
The big online banking mistake you didn't know you were making
When was the last time you stepped foot in a bank? Yeah, I can’t remember either. It’s so easy to do everything online that I can’t see going back to physical banking much, even after the pandemic.
If you’re banking via your computer or phone, do it the smart way. It only takes a few minutes. Assume you will be hacked and take these six steps to make sure your money is safe.