Public Wi-Fi without a VPN: How data can be intercepted

In today’s digitally connected world, public Wi-Fi is everywhere — in coffee shops, airports, libraries, malls, and even public transportation. At times it offers convenience, and at the same time, it also opens the door to major cybersecurity risks. Using public Wi-Fi without VPN (Virtual Private Network) is one of the riskiest practices. You may not realize it but the moment you connect to that free public Wi-Fi your data may be vulnerable to hackers who may be hiding on the same network.

What makes public Wi-Fi risky?

 

Public Wi-Fi networks are typically unencrypted or weekly secured, meaning that the data you send and receive can often be viewed by others on the same network. These networks usually don’t require strong authentication, making it easy for attackers to join and carry out malicious tasks like traffic interceptions, malware deployment, or even login credential theft. 

 

 

How does data interception work?

 

When we use the internet, the data travels between the device and the websites or services you’re using. This data is frequently encrypted and more difficult to view on a secure connection, such as your home Wi-Fi. But on public Wi-Fi, especially if it’s unsecured, communication may be unencrypted or only partially protected. This makes the device vulnerable to the following attacks:

 

Man-in-the-middle (MiTM) attacks

In an MiTM attack, a hacker puts themselves between your device and the destination server during an MiTM attack. In reality, the attacker is intercepting your messages, possibly altering them, and then forwarding them to the intended recipient. This allows the hacker to steal financial data, personal messages, and login credentials without any knowledge.

 

Packet Sniffing

Tools like Wireshark can be used to monitor and analyze traffic on a network. A hacker connected to the same public Wi-Fi can use packet sniffing tools to capture data packets traveling through the network. If your data isn’t encrypted properly, sensitive files like usernames, emails, passwords, and session tokens can be extracted.

 

Fake Wi-Fi Networks (Evil Twin Attacks

Rogue Wi-Fi hotspots can be created by cyber criminals using names like those of authentic networks, such as Starbucks’s free Wi-Fi network instead of Starbucks’s Wi-Fi. Unaware users might join the fake network, giving the attacker complete visibility into their internet activity.

 

Session Hijacking

Some attackers intercept session cookies, which websites use to keep users logged in. If an attacker captures your session cookie, they can hijack your activity session and gain access to your accounts without needing a password. 

 

 

How does a VPN protect you?

 

A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a secure VPN server, making it nearly impossible for hackers on the same network to view your activity. Even if someone intercepts the data, it will appear unreadable and render it useless. 

 

Key benefits of using VPN on public Wi-Fi:

  1. Encrypt your internet traffic 
  2. Hides your IP address 
  3. Protects login credentials and personal information 
  4. Bypass censorship and geo-restrictions 

 

 

Conclusion

 

Without a VPN, using public Wi-Fi is like shouting your private secrets into a crowded room; anyone can hear them. Whether you’re checking email, logging into your bank, or browsing social media, your data is at risk when you’re connected to secure networks.

Related Resources

Articles Blogs Compliance and Regulations Cybersecurity Governance and Strategy
Bridging law and technology: the emerging field of cyber legal advisory

In the era of emerging cyber threats, legal responsibility and technological defense now come together. As a result, the Cyber Legal Advisor comes up with a vital role. Their role is to bridge the gap between law and cybersecurity. It helps organizations in guiding a complex web of digital laws, compliance requirements, and risk mitigation strategies. In this article, we will learn about the emerging importance of cyber legal advisory and how it is important in today’s world.

Articles Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Cybersecurity Blogs
When AI creates illusion: Cybersecurity in a Synthetic World

We live in an AI-driven world, where deception sometimes imposters like reality. But let’s keep our senses open to the fact that “Not everything you see is real. In the age of AI, even truth wears a mask.”

You must have heard about AI-generated voices and characters. Undoubtedly, it’s a creative innovation, but the way these creative things are used to defame people and attack their privacy is somewhat raising concern among everyone. Cases like Deepfake and the malicious use of synthetic media are dangerously affecting the world.

Articles Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Cybersecurity AI
The Power of Large Language Models (LLMs): Transforming the World of AI

In the ever-evolving realm of artificial intelligence, Large Language Models (LLMs) have emerged as one of the most remarkable breakthroughs. These models, trained on massive datasets of text and code, have the capacity to generate and comprehend human language with astounding accuracy and versatility. As we dive deeper into the world of AI, it’s essential to understand the transformative impact of LLMs.