The APDCAT warns of the risks of connecting to public wifi networks to consult sensitive data

Coinciding with the summer season, when many people use public networks at airports, stations, libraries, etc., the Catalan Data Protection Authority (APDCAT) has published a new informative video in the series 'Data Security’, to warn of the risks of connecting to public Wi-Fi without security guarantees.

The APDCAT reminds us that cyberattackers can take advantage of these networks to steal user data or spy on them, creating others with names similar to their real ones. For this reason, the Authority recommends that users make sure that the network is indeed the desired and legitimate one, checking its name, and that if in doubt, consult the establishment’s staff.

Risks and signs

The video points out that a good indicator occurs during browsing: if the user has connected to a malicious Wi-Fi network, the browser is likely to display security warnings, such as certificate problems or insecure connections. In these cases, it is essential not to ignore the warnings, distrust the site and close the page.

Therefore, if mobile data is available, the Authority stresses that it is safer to use it to access sensitive information, such as online banking, health services or dealings with the Administration, and recommends reserving public Wi-Fi for less risky activities, such as watching the news, consulting the cultural agenda or searching for information that does not involve providing personal data.