On a Wi-Fi Network? - How to Protect Your Personal Data

Almost everyone uses open wifi connections these days. Whether you're at the airport or just visiting Starbucks, open wifi connections allow you to surf the web for free. And who doesn't like that? However, you should be cautious as to what you do on these free wifi connections. In this article, I will discuss ways in which you can protect your personal data while using these free wifi connections.

Try to avoid checking important personal documentation.

If you're using a free wifi connection(also known as a hot spot), you should try to avoid viewing web pages that contain personal information about you. Identity thieves often lurk in areas where free wifi is available, and they may be able to see what you're viewing or typing.

If all you want to do is check the weather or something like that then you will not have anything to worry about. But if you enter any passwords or view other sensitive information through a free wifi connection, you may be giving criminals access to your personal information. And you don't want to do that.

Use a software program like iPig.

Software programs such as iPig will encrypt the web pages that you view. This will help to thwart any would be identity thieves from viewing your personal data. The drawback to using iPig is that your Internet connection may be albeit slower.

However, I doubt you'll notice the speed difference if you are using a fast connection. Ipig uses 256-bit AES encryption technology, so your information is very secure. And you can also use it for your phone calls, IM, VOIP, and much more.

Make sure the site is encrypted.

I just discussed how you can use iPig to encrypt your information. However, if you must check something like your bank account online and you don't have access to a software program like iPig then make sure that your bank's web page is encrypted. You check this by looking for the little lock icon in the bottom right of your screen. Another way to determine whether or not a website is secure is to look for the "https" at the top of your browser.

Whenever you type in a web url it usually starts with either an "http" or an "https". If the website you're viewing has the latter of the two then that web page is encrypted. If it's just "http" then you may have a problem. For the record, a website doesn't have to have both a lock and an "https" to be secure. As long as you see one of these encryption methods then the website you're viewing should be fine.

So if you ever use free wifi connections, make sure that you realize the risks. Simply checking the news or the weather will not cause any problems. However, if you check a website that has personal information about you on it then you may come to regret your decision.