If your workers travel and utilise free Wi-Fi hotspots while eating out or conducting research, your data may be exposed to severe danger. Hackers often visit libraries and eateries in search of unsuspecting clients who are utilising the free Internet connection. There are various actions you and your workers may take to preserve the confidentiality of your company’s data.
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- Request the right network name from the facility’s management. Many naïve consumers fail to detect the difference when hackers broadcast their own network ID that is identical to one at the spot. The hacker will be able to intercept any data passing over his bogus network to the Internet, including user IDs and passwords.
- Never perform financial transactions when using a public Wi-Fi hotspot. If you must perform such transactions, make sure you’re utilising a secure connection by checking that the URL begins with “https” rather than “http.” Https is a secure, encrypted http protocol that provides some amount of data security. You should also check for the padlock near the address bar on the browser screen, which signals a secure connection.
- Make an encrypted virtual private network, or VPN, available for your workers to connect to from public Wi-Fi hotspots. Since it forces your employee to connect to your network through the VPN before accessing the Internet, this is the most secure approach for utilising public Internet connections. Another advantage is that it allows you to monitor and filter your workers’ Internet use, which may help secure your data.
- Enable your own firewall. This safeguards your machine against dangerous network users in the area. They may exploit your Wi-Fi connection to obtain access to your computer and jeopardise your data if your firewall is not turned on.