Common sense tells us that connecting to free, public Wi-Fi is very dangerous. The fact that it is free to public makes it dangerous enough. You could imagine how many smartphone users there are in train stations, coffee shops, etc. Some business establishments provide passwords exclusively to their customers. However, this strategy can be useless if one of the customers is a hacker. And yes, attacking the network is easier these days. This is why you should use a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
As compared to your router at home where you know who is connected especially if it has a password, anyone can be connected via the public Wi-Fi. In case you are not aware, there are a lot of free apps that allow users to capture the data traffic sent from your laptop, tablet or smartphone. Some stores and hotels claim that their router is reliable. But while this can be true, it is still not 100% safe. This is why online shopping via public Wi-Fi is not recommended. The same thing goes with online banking.
Fortunately, some popular sites such as Facebook are safer than others. If a site uses HTTPS on its URL which you can see on your browser, the letter S stands for Secure. Therefore, your email address and password are both safe from hackers, especially if you are in a public Wi-Fi. But unfortunately, if the person who set up the router is a hacker, you can be lead to a fake site that looks like the real site. Without your knowledge, your log-in details are now stolen right after you enter them on that site.
Experts strongly suggest that public Wi-Fi users should frequently change their passwords. But of course, there will come a time that you will forget doing it or too busy to do it. Avoiding sharing of files and keeping your operating software always updated are both good safety measures. You can also disconnect your device from the Wi-Fi when not in use. Nevertheless, VPN has been known as the best way to protect your sensitive data while connecting a Wi-Fi hotspot. Its competitors are far behind in terms of security features..
First of all, VPN offers various security protocols that other services cannot provide. The VPN server acts like a middleman whom you can keep your darkest secrets. A new IP address will be assigned to you, allowing you to browse the web anonymously. But more importantly, web traffic via VPN is highly encrypted and cannot easily be accessed by any third party. In fact, many huge businesses use VPN so they can allow their staff to browse their sensitive data, even if they are using free, public Wi-Fi.
However, not all VPN service providers are the same. Although you might be tempted to try the free ones, they are not really that reliable. With a free VPN, you cannot expect excellent customer service and you will be bombarded with tons of ridiculous ads. On the other hand, paid VPNs offer faster and more secured Internet connection. In addition, their service fees are very affordable.