7 Kiat Agar Aman Berselancar di WiFi Public

Sumber: https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/secure-public-wi-fi-phones/

Anda sedang berada di luar, melakukan belanja di mal. Atau anda baru saja masuk ke sebuah hotel. Mungkin anda berada di taman. Kebetulan di tempat-tempat tersebut tersedia Free WiFi dan kebetulan anda harus online. Sialnya, paket data anda sudah menipis atau bahkan mungkin sudah habis. Atau anda berada di lokasi bankspot yang tidak ada sinyal selular.

Menggunakan Wi-Fi publik adalah satu-satunya jawaban. Tetapi apakah itu aman?

Dalam kebutuhan anda untuk online, anda mungkin akan mengabaikan kenyataan bahwa jaringan WiFi publik mungkin tidak aman. Memang, mungkin tidak pernah terpikir oleh anda bahwa WiFi yang terbuka bisa memberikan risiko. Jadi sebelum anda meminum kopi anda, sambil mengakses Facebook di ponsel anda, pertimbangkan strategi aman sederhana ini untuk menggunakan WiFi publik dengan aman.

1. Pastikan Sistem Operasi anda update

Pembaruan sistem operasi tidak hanya memberikan fitur baru ke Android atau iPhone Anda. Pembaruan berusaha untuk lebih menguatkan sistem operasi, memperbaiki kerentanan, dan mencegah peretas mencuri data anda.

Karena itu, anda harus menginstal pembaruan sistem operasi anda. Setiap kali pembaruan iOS baru hadir, unduh dan pasang ke iPhone anda. Saat Google mengeluarkan pembaruan, pasang di perangkat Android anda. Khawatir tentang batas penyimpanan? Backup atau sinkronkan data penting ke cloud, lalu buat ruang, hapus aplikasi, sehingga pembaruan dapat diunduh dan dipasang.

Dan kiat ini bukan hanya agar anda aman mengakses WiFi publik, tapi ini untuk segalanya. Tetap perbarui sistem operasi seluler anda!

2. Use Mobile Security Tools

Sebelum menggunakan WiFi publik, anda harus memastikan bahwa ponsel anda memasang perangkat lunak keamanan yang sesuai. Meskipun ini tidak terlalu berlaku bagi pengguna iOS, android lebih memiliki masalah dengan malware. Perangkat lunak keamanan akan menyediakan firewall, pemindaian dan penghapusan malware.

Alasannya jelas. Jika anda terhubung ke jaringan WiFi terbuka tanpa jaminan, anda berisiko membuka diri ke malware dari perangkat lain di jaringan. Ini mungkin tidak disengaja - mungkin worm menyebar sendiri dari satu perangkat yang terinfeksi ke yang lain - atau mungkin disengaja, dikirim oleh pengguna jahat yang mungkin duduk cukup dekat dengan kita.

Mobile security apps can mitigate against this, protecting your device either by actively defending, or scanning and removing the offending malware. While most malware targets Windows computers, don’t overlook the fact that there are mobile-focused alternatives. Android in particular is as big a target for hackers and scammers as Windows. If you’re concerned about malware on your Android device, these tips will help you enhance your Android security.

3. Don’t Waste Time With a Slow Public Wi-Fi Network

Logged onto an open Wi-Fi network and found that your connection is slow? Trouble even making a connection to the sign-in page? Take care — or better still, disconnect.

There is a chance that this sluggish speed is because the router has been compromised. Another explanation might be that you haven’t connected to the router at all, but to another device posing as the router. Speed may appear slow because data is being routed via the other device.

But what could the other device be?

Well, using public Wi-Fi opens you up to all sorts of cyber criminals. As well as “sniffing” your wireless signal for username/password information, scammers might configure their PC as a fake router. All they have to do is sit back and wait for someone to connect to their device by mistake. Any unencrypted passwords and other personal data that you then send can be captured, as can a history of the websites you visit. In short, these criminals can steal your identity.

4. Avoid Financial Transactions Without Protection

Online banking and shopping over an unsecure, public Wi-Fi connection is unsafe. Those sniffing scammers can use the tools at their disposal to make things very difficult for you the moment some unencrypted data heads their way. Naturally you should only shop with companies that keep your password secure. It’s best that you avoid creating issues at your end.

So what can you do to ensure safety? One way is to switch to your own mobile internet connection, if possible, and conduct the transaction safely that way. You might also employ a VPN (see Tip 7 below for more details) to encrypt all your internet traffic.

If you’re using an online banking service, make you’re using your bank’s official app, and that it offers full encryption. Similarly, stick to official, secured apps for online shopping. If they’re not secure, don’t shop until you can be certain it’s safe!

5. Use Two-Factor Authentication Wherever Possible

We’re big fans of two-factor authentication here at MakeUseOf, and you should be too. This is the means why which you can be certain that you are communicating with the online service you think you’re using. Similarly, they can be certain that it is you trying to login, or make a banking transaction.

The two factors used in standard 2FA are usually something you know (your login credentials) and something you have (a generated code on your phone, or a text message sent via the online store, bank, or other service). Once correctly input, you can be certain that you’re using a genuine website.

Two-factor authentication is usually offered by security-savvy online companies. However, be aware that activity conducted after a two-factor sign in are easily observed by the owner of a fake router or network. As such, do not rely on this as your “fire and forget fix” for open Wi-Fi networks.

6. Disable Wi-Fi When You’re Done

This is a very simple idea, but one that many people just ignore. But switching off your smartphone or tablet’s wireless internet when you’re done is a great idea. Additionally, any internet connection sharing functionality — such as Windows 10 Mobile’s version of the WiFi Sense tool — should be disabled before you connect.

With Wi-Fi disabled, any attempts to drop unwanted malware onto your device will fail. Nearby scammers trying to performing drive-by hacks will find their attempts hit a wall with no data connection to utilize. In short, this is one of the most decisive actions you can take to protect your smartphone on public Wi-Fi.

7. Don’t Connect to Public Wi-Fi Without a VPN

Much of the risk in using a public Wi-Fi can be minimized with the use of a VPN. Traditionally available only for desktops and laptops, many VPN providers now produce mobile apps. These handy clients can be used to connect to a secure VPN server, thereby encrypting your traffic as it leaves your device.

VPNs have many purposes from proxy avoidance to overcoming region blocking. They’re also the best security tool you have for browsing the internet in every sense.

Worries about the security of your financial transactions and purchases, and the possibility that you connected to a fake router, can all be dismissed. With a VPN, data security and privacy is assured, enabling you to stop worrying about the hackers. Our list of the best VPN providers features services that offer mobile apps, although if you want a quick recommendation, look at ExpressVPN.

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