Public Wi-Fi

You can find public Wi-Fi (also called hotspots) in many locations including libraries, coffee shops, hotels, and airports. Public hotspots are fine to use with a few cautions.

Legitimate Wi-Fi hotspots

Anyone with a mobile device or Wi-Fi repeater can create a hotspot and give it a legitimate-looking name like “Free Wi-Fi” or “Guest Wi-Fi.” If you have a question about the real name of the Wi-Fi offered by a business, ask someone who works there.

Public Wi-Fi: Does a password protect me?

In a word: No. Many public Wi-Fi hotspots require a password, which doesn’t mean you are connected to a private, secure network. It would be best if you considered yourself visible to other computer users who have logged in to the same Wi-Fi system. Any user with a network analyzer or snooping app can see your computer, although if you are connected to HTTP secure sites, they won’t be able to see much about your activity.

Public vs private settings on your computer

When you connect to a new network, your computer will ask if you are connecting to a public or private network. Be sure to select the Public option whenever you are not on your own private home network. Selecting Public Network will tell your computer to use the firewall and antivirus software to block other computers from connecting to or controlling your computer. You can check your network settings by going to Settings > Network & Internet.

HTTPS: Secure sites are critical on public Wi-Fi

As a rule, secure sites (look for the locked icon in the browser address box) that you visit are safe. Be aware that anyone on the same network with a basic network

analyzer or sniffer can see the sites you visit, but not the pages. In other words, others on the network may be able to see that you visited costco.com, but they cannot see any further details about what pages or products that you may have visited, or see any usernames or passwords you might enter.

If you are asked to install a digital certificate…

Some sites may ask you to install a digital certificate. That digital certificate can take the place of your secure connection and reveal everything you do to the site owner, including your passwords and usernames. No public site should ask to install a certificate. Some companies require installing company-owned devices to monitor employee activity more closely.

Best practices for your safety

• Limit banking and other sensitive online activities when connected to public Wi-Fi.
• Use your cellular hotspot or the app on your mobile device if possible.
• Make sure you are connected to secure sites. If using a browser, a secure site is verified when a locked icon is displayed.

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