A family vacation can be a stressful thing. In the digital age, something such as free Wi-Fi may make life more convenient for families, but there’s reason to be cautious. Accessing an unfamiliar network can be a risky thing to do. In some cases, it can ruin the entire experience and holiday. With a few simple steps, you can ensure everyone is safe and protected.
Know the Risks Before You Connect
To begin with, you might not know for sure whether the network in question really belongs to the hotel, restaurant, or bar that you’re sitting in. In some cases, an attacker might set up their own hotspot in a crowded location, in the hope of tricking visitors into connecting and thereby exposing themselves. This kind of network is known, colorfully enough, as an ‘evil twin’. It’s important to note that some encrypted networks can also be unsafe. Attackers have recently discovered weaknesses in ‘private’ networks and are actively exploiting them.
Double Check That the Network Is Legit
So, what can we do about this problem? The first and most obvious precaution might be to verify that you’re connecting to the right network, and not an evil twin. Be sure to double-check the name and credentials of the network, and don’t be afraid to ask staff, too. If you’re in a hurry, this might be something that you overlook – but doing so can be disastrous.
Stick to Encrypted Sites and Secure Settings
The good news is that the modern internet is highly encrypted, thanks to widespread use of the secure ‘HTTPS’ protocol. This is evidenced in modern browsers by a small padlock symbol beside the URL bar. Most browsers will make it obvious when you’re connecting to an unsecured site, so don’t worry if you can’t see a padlock-type symbol.
It’s also worth tweaking certain settings on your device. Make sure that you have downloaded and run any essential updates before you travel, and that you aren’t automatically connecting to any networks.
Take Advantage of Extra Safety Tools While Traveling
Extra software tools can make a big difference, too. The NSA recommends using a VPN whenever you’re connecting to an unfamiliar network. Doing so will effectively encrypt all of your traffic and divert it through a secure tunnel. This means that even when there’s a malicious actor present on the network, you won’t need to worry about them getting hold of the data you send and receive because they won’t be able to unscramble it.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
