How much of a security risk is unsecured WiFi at a coffee shop or airport? What can other people see, and what precautions are worth taking?
How risky is it to use public WiFi?
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w.605~bracketbell
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Public WiFi isn't automatically a disaster. Most major sites use HTTPS, which encrypts the connection between your device and the site. Someone on the same network generally can't read the contents of those pages or the information you submit.
That doesn't make every connection safe. The network may still be able to see which services you're connecting to, and an unencrypted connection can expose its contents. Keep your device and browser updated, and don't click through certificate warnings.
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Check the address carefully before signing in or entering payment details. A lookalike site can have a secure connection and still be a scam. Use a bookmark or type the known address rather than following a suspicious link.
That applies on your home network too. Public WiFi isn't the only place where phishing happens.
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Banking gets mixed opinions, but the WiFi being public doesn't by itself expose your password if you're using the bank's legitimate site or app over a properly encrypted connection. If you're unsure about the network or the site, switch to mobile data or wait until you're on a network you trust.
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For a work device, follow your employer's rules. They might require a VPN or have restrictions on public networks. Also make sure you join the venue's actual network rather than a similarly named one. Ask staff if the network name isn't clear.
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w.605~bracketbell:
So HTTPS is what the browser's secure connection indicator is telling me about?
4x~drillbit_819:
Yes, it indicates an encrypted connection, but it doesn't prove the site itself is trustworthy. A fake site can use HTTPS too.