Public WiFi networks are a great convenience in case we need an urgent internet connection when we are outside. However, there are risks associated with public WiFi and therefore it is generally not recommended to use open WiFi networks for personal works such as internet banking, online shopping, etc. Because public WiFi networks are not as secure as private ones and our personal information can be compromised.
But is that true, can public WiFi access or hack your phone, can public WiFi see your history, password, messages, or searches you have made? Keep reading the article, you will get your answers about security concerns related to public WiFi here.
Table Of Contents
- Quick Summary
- Can Public WiFi Hack Your Phone?
- Can Public WiFi See Your History?
- Can Public WiFi See Your Photos?
- Can Public WiFi See Your Messages?
- Can Public WiFi See Your Password?
- How Do Hackers Use Public WiFi To Access Your Phone?
- What Can Hackers See On Public WiFi?
- Can You Get Hacked Using Public WiFi? Final Verdict
- FAQs
Quick Summary
Someone on the same public WiFi network as you can access your phone if they have the right skills and tools to do it. Hence, it is advised that you should not use Public WiFi. If you have to connect to a public WiFi network, make sure you use a reliable VPN service. Also, you must only visit encrypted websites on public WiFi.
Can Public WiFi Hack Your Phone?
Public WiFi networks cannot hack your phone on their own. However, public WiFi can be used by hackers to get illegal access to your phone. Public Wi-Fi is typically open and unencrypted. This means data transmitted over these networks can be intercepted and read by hackers.
They can exploit vulnerabilities in the public Wi-Fi network or use various hacking techniques such as man-in-the-middle or packet sniffing to intercept the data transmitted between your phone and the Wi-Fi router.
Can Public WiFi See Your History?
Yes, public Wi-Fi can track your history or see the searches you have made. In simple words, public WiFi administrators can potentially monitor your internet traffic, including websites visited.
However, if you are using a website with HTTPS protocol then the data exchanged between your device and websites is encrypted. This makes it challenging for others (hackers) on the network to see your history.
Can Public WiFi See Your Photos?
It is possible for someone on the same network to see your photos over public WiFi. Especially, if you are using the network for accessing your photos on online services such as Google Photos or social media. The network administrator or hackers can intercept the data being transmitted over the internet and see your photos without you knowing about it.
However, if you’re viewing locally stored photos on your device then those photos are not visible to others on the public Wi-Fi network.
Can Public WiFi See Your Messages?
If you are using end-to-end encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp, Signal, or iMessage, the content of your messages is encrypted on your device and can only be decrypted by the recipient’s device. This means that even if someone on a public Wi-Fi network tries to intercept your messages, they will only see encrypted data, not the actual content of your messages.
However, if you are using messaging services that do not employ end-to-end encryption or if you are accessing messaging platforms through a web browser (which may not be encrypted with HTTPS), the messages could be intercepted and read by hackers on the public Wi-Fi network.
Can Public WiFi See Your Password?
If you are using websites or services that do not employ secure HTTPS connections, your passwords, and other sensitive information can potentially be intercepted and seen by hackers or scammers on the same public Wi-Fi network.
How Do Hackers Use Public WiFi To Access Your Phone?
Hackers can potentially use public Wi-Fi networks to access your phone through various hacking techniques. Here are some common methods they use:
Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks: It is the most popular hacking technique used by hackers where they position themself in the center of your device and the public WiFi network. Being in the middle allows them to intercept the network and access sensitive details shared between the user and the router. This includes your passwords, emails, and other personal details.
Packet Sniffing: In this type of attack the hackers can use packet sniffing tools to capture data packets transmitted over the open Wi-Fi network. These packets may contain unencrypted information that can be exploited by the attacker.
Evil Twin Attack: As the name suggests, in this type of attack the hacker creates a twin or duplicate WIFI network which resembles a legitime one. This creates a perception in the user’s mind that they are connecting to a secure network, but in reality, they are connecting to a fake and dangerous public WiFi network.
Exploiting Vulnerabilities: Public Wi-Fi routers and associated software may have vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to gain control over the network and monitor or manipulate data traffic.
What Can Hackers See On Public WiFi?
Most people want to know what can hackers see on public WiFi. If you are connected to a public WiFi a hacker can see the following things:
Unencrypted Data: If you access websites or services that do not use secure HTTPS connections, hackers can see all types of unencrypted data transmitted between your device and the website. This includes login credentials, passwords, personal information, and more.
Web Traffic: On an open WiFi network, hackers can monitor your web browsing activity and see the websites you visit, even if they can’t see the specific content on secure HTTPS websites.
Emails: If you are using unsecured email services or email clients without encryption, hackers can hack your emails and read your emails.
Instant Messages: Messages sent through unencrypted messaging services can be intercepted and read by hackers over public WiFi.
Files and Documents: Any files or documents you transfer or download over the public Wi-Fi network can be potentially intercepted by hackers.
Location Data: If you have location services enabled on your device, hackers may be able to track your location based on the Wi-Fi network you are connected to.
How To Protect Yourself On A Public WiFi?
To protect yourself from cyber attacks, follow these best practices when using public Wi-Fi:
Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network): A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and adds an extra layer of security. Making it difficult for hackers to intercept your data. However, you must only go for a good VPN provider such as Nord VPN.
Avoid Unsecured Wi-Fi Networks: Stick to trusted networks and avoid connecting to open, unsecured Wi-Fi networks without passwords.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Turn on 2FA wherever possible to add an extra layer of security to your online accounts.
Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your device’s operating system, apps, and security software to patch any known vulnerabilities.
Use HTTPS: Whenever possible, access websites using HTTPS encryption, which helps protect your data during transmission.
Turn Off Automatic Wi-Fi Connection: Disable auto-connect to public Wi-Fi networks to prevent your device from connecting to rogue hotspots automatically.
Can You Get Hacked Using Public WiFi? Final Verdict
After reading the above article you must have understood that you can be easily hacked through public WiFi. However, if you are aware you can protect yourself from attacks while using an open WiFi network. For example, you can make use of a VPN while connecting to public WiFi to mask your personal information. Or you can only access websites with HTTPS encryption. But I would recommend you to not connect to public WiFi. Only make use of secure password-protected networks.
FAQs
Can Someone Access My Phone Using Public WiFi?
Yes, it is possible for someone on the same network to access your phone over WiFi.
How To Use Public WiFi Safely?
You can safely use a public WiFi by using it with a VPN.
Is It Safe To Use Public WiFi For Banking?
No, it is not safe to use public WiFi for banking or any such critical tasks.
