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Not all networks are as friendly as they look

Public Wi-Fi in cafés, schools, hotels, or even a friend's home isn't always secure. Other people on the same network may be able to intercept your data.

A man using a tablet at a café table

This can expose your logins, messages, and browsing activity, which is used to take over accounts, commit fraud, or cause reputational damage.

Warning signs to watch for

  • Websites suddenly redirect you or fail to load properly
  • Security warnings appear when visiting familiar sites
  • Logins fail after using public Wi-Fi services
  • Unusual account alerts appear shortly after connecting

Simple ways to stay safe

  • Use a VPN when browsing via public or shared Wi-Fi (cybersecurity providers such as BlackCloak set every client up with a VPN as standard)

  • Avoid logging into sensitive accounts on open/public networks

  • Turn off automatic Wi-Fi connections on mobile devices

  • Stick to secure websites when browsing

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