5 tips to safely use public wifi with your Android – Android Planet

Public Wi-Fi networks are the most dangerous places to start browsing. High time for an important refresher. Android Planet gives five important tips to be safe with your Android via a public Wi-Fi hotspot.

These tips do not apply to your own Wi-Fi network. If your Wi-Fi network is password protected and only you have access and trusted, you do not apply these tips. The tips are only for public Wi-Fi networks, like Starbucks or McDonald’s, or the Wi-Fi network from your work, which all kinds of people are connected

. ”, ‘clear’ => ‘both’, ‘margin_top’ => ”, ‘margin_bottom ‘=>’ 5 ‘,’ padding_top ‘=>’ ‘,’ padding_bottom ‘=>’ ‘), array (), Array ()) ->

It is huge to take important steps before you go to a public Wi-Fi network. Anyone can connect to a public Wi-Fi network, so also malicious. In most cases, the malicious own Wi-Fi network to, but with the same name as the public Wi-Fi network. Then, the person has access to everything you do. So he or she can see what you’re doing, from surfing to Facebook to watching a movie.

1. Create your own Wi-Fi hotspot tethering

In order to circumvent the public Wi-Fi network, you can start your own Wi-Fi network. A private wifi hotspot you can create very easily, where you choose the name and the password. The attacker can not simply take over your connection, because it ‘s next to the name also must know the password. And that can not simply a malicious hacking.

With its own Wi-Fi hotspot are you tether. This means that you use your data connection to connect another device to the Internet. So you can access the internet with your laptop via the data connection on your smartphone. But keep your data usage: tether with a laptop often costs much more data than the Internet with your smartphone, because you’re on a laptop usually uses complete websites and videos in full HD

2.. Use a VPN

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Such a VPN is used to build a wall that shields your connection for the provider of that compound. Normally overlooks the telecom provider along with your Internet usage, with a (public) Wi-Fi network is in addition to the Internet service provider and administrator of the Wi-Fi network also anyone connected keep your internet usage in the holes with the same Wi-Fi network. There are quite a lot, so it is wise to build a digital wall around your Internet

With a VPN, you can connect eg with a 4G connection or Wi-Fi network to the Internet, but you build a wall through which others can not take a peek inside this compound; both the provider as others in the same network. Private Internet Access is seen by many as the best VPN service. US service offers many features for a very reasonable $ 6.95 per month or $ 39.95 per year. For that money you can connect five devices simultaneously with the VPN, your connection is encrypted and there is support for P2P and VoIP services such as Skype and uTorrent.

In our extensive article Android VPN You can find more information about VPNs and set it on Android.

3. Using its own wifi router

If you want to set up a VPN connection or it takes too difficult, there is an easier way: keezel, a small routertje of Dutch origin which is on sale for $ 79. Keezel comes standard with a one year subscription to a VPN, but without the handedly setting up a VPN connection.

keezel has one button at the bottom. Press it and the device is activated and you can connect to the WiFi network of keezel. Next, check with your device – a laptop or smartphone, for example – to connect the public Wi-Fi network that keezel. The internet connection is then completely secure via keezel. One trick: keezel also acts as an external battery charger

Another option is the MiFi , a small routertje which has a data connection. You can buy a data bundle by ordering such a MiFi. If you have five days to the UK and there will want to consume for 3GB of data, you pay 84 euros for a company like World Wide Wifi. Such a connection is safe, because only you are using the MiFi.

4. Watch your Internet

If you use any of the above mentioned tips and really want to commit without additional security with a public WiFi network, it is wise to reflect on a few things. First: always use an encrypted HTTPS connection as you can. This ensures that traffic between your computer and the website is encrypted. It is also wise to inspect sites properly. Try a malicious you no dish for fake website where you login to be asked? You can check the certificate of a Web site by pressing the green key

One last important tip is to turn two-step verification. With two-step verification you put an extra layer of security to your account in the form of a code. Once you log in with your username and password, the website in question requires an additional code. This is sent for example to your smartphone, but can also be generated with an app from Google. In our article about Google Authenticator, we show how to set up two-step verification for Google, but the additional layer of protection can also be activated by, among others Facebook, Twitter and PayPal.

5. Turn off your wifi always off

A useful tip that also saves energy: turn off your wifi if you do not need the connection. If you keep wifi enabled, makes sure your Android scans the entire time for Wi-Fi networks. That slurps energy (see our article on wifi battery consumption). In addition, your Android directly connects to a trusted Wi-Fi network. This can however also wifi networks you are connected once, such as a hotspot of KPN, the Wi-Fi network at Schiphol or WiFi on the train.

If a malicious Wi-Fi network ‘Wifi train ‘broadcasts and the wifi on your Android is still on, you automatically connect to this rogue network – without you by. It is therefore wise to always turn off the wifi connection as you want are not connected to a specific network.