Public Wi-Fi Security Quiz

Risks of Public Wi-Fi

• Public Wi-Fi networks can expose users to data interception, making it easy for hackers to capture sensitive information during transmission.
• Hackers can employ tactics like man-in-the-middle attacks, allowing them to monitor, modify, or steal data being sent over these networks.

Implications of Email Account Compromise

• An imposter gaining access to your email may conduct phishing attacks, impersonate you in communications, or reset passwords for other accounts linked to that email.

Consequences of Credential Theft

• If a hacker acquires your username and password, they can access additional online accounts, potentially leading to unauthorized transactions or identity theft across multiple platforms.

Financial Identity Theft

• Stealing financial identity can lead to significant financial loss, damaged credit ratings, and long-term challenges in reclaiming your financial stability.

Hassles of Restoring Stolen Identity

• Repairing a stolen identity involves extensive paperwork, long wait times for resolution, and ongoing disputes with financial institutions or creditors, causing stress and inconvenience.

Purpose of Encryption

• Encryption secures personal information during internet transmission, ensuring that data is converted into a code that is unreadable to unauthorized individuals.

Identifying Encrypted Websites

• Look for “https://” at the beginning of a URL and a padlock icon in the address bar, indicating that the connection is secure and data is encrypted.

Actions for Unencrypted Pages

• If you encounter an unencrypted page, avoid entering sensitive information and disconnect from the website immediately to protect your data.

Staying Signed In to Accounts

• Remaining permanently signed in can pose risks, as it increases the likelihood of unauthorized access, especially on shared or public devices.

Secure Use of Public Wi-Fi

• Always use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection when accessing public Wi-Fi, providing an additional layer of security against potential threats.