Welcome to Cybersecurity in 31 Days. I’m Malan Faya, your host. Today is Day 9. To view previous posts, click here.

Hotspots can be hotbeds for stealing personal and sensitive data. How? Hackers have been found to create free hotspots as baits.

Always use trusted Wi-Fi networks. Only.

Of course there are times when your only option is to connect to a free and public WiFi hotspot because your work simply cannot wait. For example, you visit a coffee shop. You wish to check your email, complete a transaction, or quickly access an information online. Be sure you are connecting to a secured network. With free hotspots, you have to be double sure.

One of the biggest threats with free public WiFi is the ability for hackers to position themselves between you and the connection point. So instead of connecting directly with the hotspot, you end up sending your information to a hacker. The hacker will have access to every piece of information you send out—bank-account information, business information, emails, passwords, phone numbers, and personal details. Once a hacker has all these information, you’ve basically given them the keys to the ‘kingdom’.

So whenever you are considering whether to connect to that public WiFi network and you have no clue on how to securely connect to it, simply avoid the temptation to connect. Wait till you are on a secured Wi-Fi network or rely on an alternative and secure Internet connection. It’s better late than never.