In the News
How safe are public wi-fi networks? In Microsoft Beefs Up Wi-Fi Protection, Tara Seals at Threatpost discusses how Microsoft’s most recent updates will now allow consumers to know if the wi-fi network they wish to connect to has outdated security measures. Seals explains that this vetting of networks will allow for safer internet use by the general public and especially company employees who deal with work matters using public wi-fi networks.
Our Take
It is not uncommon to search or establishments or areas with free public wi-fi. After all, so much of our daily lives are tied to having an internet connection, and going over your data plan limit can be quite pricey. However, public wi-fi networks often do not have the same level of security and privacy as private networks, and this can lead to the exposure of your personal information if the network is breached. Microsoft’s new update gives users a warning if they are connecting to a sketchy network. While it is still the users’ choice, whether they continue connecting to the network or not, this initiative gives more transparency and autonomy to consumers over using safe practices.
Recommendations
How can you protect your data from being exposed?
- Understand the risks of putting your personal information into the world, and only share what you have to
- Use private and secure wi-fi networks when dealing with sensitive topics or work matters
- Utilize additional security/privacy measures and settings on apps, accounts, and platforms whenever possible
- Stay up to date on the news regarding recent data breaches and exposures to see if you may have been affected