How to Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi

Actually, using a VPN on public Wi-Fi is what everyone needs. While you are in a public place, such as a mall or a cafe, you can connect to a local free Wi-Fi network called public. On the one hand, this is quite useful and pleasant for visitors who can use the public Internet for free for a movie, study, or other needs, but it is not safe and this must be understood.

When you use the free public networks, there’s a possibility that hackers are waiting for you to connect to the free Wi-Fi. They can sneak into your phone without you noticing and intercept any data they need. Therefore, if you are forced to connect to a public network, you must take precautions. One of the best ways to protect against data breaches is to use a VPN.

Even though more and more people use VPN today, many customers still have doubts about whether it is safe to use public Wi-Fi with a VPN?

Although that VPN is one of the main ways to protect against hacking, it still has certain risks, which we will tell you about.

Let’s take a closer look at whether a VPN can protect you from intruders when you are connected to a public Wi-Fi network and what you can do to protect yourself.

Does a VPN Protect You on Public Wi-Fi?

A VPN can help make your connection secure even if you’re not on a secure network. One of the functions of a VPN is the protection of Internet activity. It allows you to use a private network through a connection to a public network, sending all the necessary data in an encrypted way.

Let’s briefly consider how a VPN works. Actually, with its help your connection is sent through another private Internet server, while your real IP address is hidden, and your activity becomes encrypted and inaccessible to hackers.

Attackers always attack victims through hotspots that help them get personal information. However, with the help of a VPN, this can be avoided.If you use a VPN and someone wants to get into your device to download your data, they will have to break the data encryption, which they cannot do. Thus, your data will remain safe. This is the main reason why experts recommend using a VPN when you use public Wi-Fi.

How Does a VPN Protect You on Public Wi-Fi?

How Does a VPN Protect You on Public Wi-Fi

It is rare to find secure public networks to access the Internet. A relatively secure network can only be in your home. In all other places where you can find free Wi-Fi, you can also run into a hacker attack on your data. An open, unsecured network that you use in a public place can make you a victim and give your data to anyone at any time.

One notorious scheme is one where hackers set up their router and call it something inviting, such as “Free Wi-Fi”, this could be near a train station, mall, or coffee shop. Their actions are designed to make the victim think that this Wi-Fi belongs to this store, which generously provides visitors with free access to the Internet. Thus, the victim can connect to such Wi-Fi and transfer all their data to the hacker.When using a VPN, all your data is encrypted, and your traffic cannot be intercepted even when using public Wi-Fi. VPN will be able to protect you from any attacks from intruders, regardless of which connection you have chosen. When using a VPN, you will be securely protected by a wall encrypting your data, which is why no intruder can harm you.

The Dangers of Public Wi-Fi

The first thing to understand is that hackers are always after your personal information, and as you have understood, they do this when you choose a public Wi-Fi network. So, when your Internet activity is hacked, attackers will be able to get the following information:

  • Email address;
  • Bank details.
  • Personal photos and videos.
  • Home address.

Hackers rename their routers all the time to lure in more and more new victims looking for free internet and not protecting their connection.

Hackers can use one of their famous ways to harm the victim. Let’s take a closer look at how they can attack your data when you don’t try using a VPN on public Wi-Fi.

  • Evil twins attack

As we have already said, renaming your router to lure people to your network is a matter of a couple of minutes. Any person passing by the cafe will probably believe in the generosity of the cafe and connect to such a network as, “Cafe_Wifi_Free”. When you connect to such a network when it is hacked your data is immediately transferred to the hacker.

  • Malware Injection

Using an insecure connection can lead to virus software infiltrating your device. If it hits, for example, your phone, it will be able to steal and transfer your data to third parties, reduce bandwidth, and break your device. Also, one of the difficulties of such viruses is that it is extremely difficult to find them on your device and eliminate them.

  • Man in the Middle (MITM)

The essence of this attack is that the hacker places his device between the connection with your device and the public hotspot that you decide to connect to. Unbeknownst to you, it can track your Internet activity, control your access to the Internet, and redirect you to the site of these scammers with the requirement to enter data and bank passwords.

  • Wi-Fi sniffing

This is one of the most popular attacks on a person’s data. A hacker can use legitimate software that can view your data packets as they pass through the public network. Then the attacker will be able to use it in the way they need.

Having considered the possible ways of attacking your device when connected to a public network, it must be said that using a high-quality VPN can encrypt your data and it cannot be transferred to third parties.

The data encryption process will be hidden from users and hackers trying to break into your device. Although hackers will be able to see the fact that you are connected to a public Wi-Fi network, they will not be able to see the details of your traffic.

According to statistics, about 81% of Americans constantly connect to public Wi-Fi points, but only 1% of them use VPN to protect their data. It is not difficult to understand that 80% of people that don’t use a VPN on public Wi-Fi are constantly at risk of giving all their personal data to scammers.

In the next block we must talk about how to use a VPN on public Wi-Fi.

How To Set Up a VPN on Your Public Wi-Fi

How To Set Up a VPN on Your Public Wi-Fi

We told you about some important points related to connecting to a public Wi-Fi network and using a VPN for this purpose. Let’s look at what you should do if you try using a VPN on public Wi-Fi on your device.

Setting up a VPN when using a home Wi-Fi

If you often work from home, you will most likely want to secure your online activities with quality VPN protection. In this case, all devices connected to this network will have a secure connection.

However, you should be aware that by using a VPN, you may experience traffic slowdowns, which can lead to slower network speeds. So, you should just choose a region for VPN that is closer to your country.

Let’s talk about using a VPN on public home Wi-Fi.

  • Connecting a router with capabilities

Several quality routers come with built-in VPN servers that are very easy to set up. If you need to perform all important functions such as studying and working from home, this is the best option for you.

In this case, the VPN connection process will be fully automated and at the same time your service will independently connect all the necessary devices to the VPN and you will not have to download third-party applications for this.

  • Check that your router supports third-party firmware

As a rule, routers have their firmware, if you have the opportunity – try changing your firmware to one that can support the VPN connection.

  • Set up your VPN server

To do this, you will need to use an always-on computer. This can be hard to do, but if you run your own business, setting up a server for all of your company’s devices is a great idea.
So, following these steps of using a VPN on your home public Wi-Fi help you to defend your personal datas and

VPN connection in public places

If you need to connect to a public network in a public place such as a cafe, train station, or shopping mall, the best option is to download dedicated VPN apps to your device.
Among the large number of VPNs, you can find both free options and those that you can use with a paid subscription.

What are the advantages of installed VPN servers?

Using good and high-quality VPN servers on public Wi-Fi have good advantages in themselves. Let’s take a closer look at which ones.

  • Many VPN services work with most browsers and operating systems.
  • They have several useful functions, the ability to use different servers, and have undergone numerous tests to further optimize the work.
  • Often they have already ready-made installers. For this reason, setting up your VPN can be quite simple.

Can Wi-Fi Block VPN?

Can Wi-Fi Block VPN

Even though a large number of public Wi-Fi points are not so easy to block the operation of the VPN, some providers may still use IP address lookup tools that are related to the VPN provider. They can then try using a firewall to block that IP address.However, if you will be using a quality VPN on public Wi-Fi you will have several thousand servers to choose from, so you can choose any other server without difficulty. The probability that the provider will block the rest of the servers is extremely small.

How to Stop Public Wi-Fi Hacking

To prevent your device from being hacked when connected to public networks, it is important to remember the following rules:

  • Disable automatic connections

If you frequently use public networks, you may accidentally connect to the next public network, although you did not intend to do this. To prevent this, go to your Wi-Fi settings and turn off the ability to connect to public networks.

  • Do not connect to questionable Wi-Fi networks

If you come to a cafe and decide to use the free Wi-Fi they offer, ask the cafe staff what the name of the Wi-Fi is really their Internet and connect only to it.

  • Do not sign in to any accounts when connected to a public network.

If you need to use a public Wi-Fi network, while using it, do not enter information that is too important for you, such as logins and passwords from accounts, banking data, and so on. An attacker may expect that after connecting to the public Internet, you will start logging into your accounts and using bank accounts. Don’t let them cash in on you!

  • Disable File Sharing and Check Firewall

As a rule, people often skip such checks, but it is the included file sharing function that can let you down. Also, check the work of anti-virus programs, they should perform their function well.

Your Data Security Can Be In Safe Hands With vpnXpert!

So, as we have already explained, using VPN on public Wi-Fi is what you need. VpnXpert always makes sure that you can surf the web and not be attacked by intruders who may be trying to find out your personal information.We are busy making VPN comprehensible and accessible to any user. We have insanely talented people on our team who are well versed in data protection and security. We invite you to go to the site of our company and check out and read about our services.

FAQ’s

  1. How much does it cost to subscribe to VPN apps?

    In addition to trying free VPN apps, you can also subscribe to paid versions. Paid subscription prices can be around $4-12 per month.

  2. What is the best VPN to use?

    The best examples of VPN services are NordVPN, TunnelBear, and ProtonVPN. These services are equipped with good functionality and thoroughly tested, so we can say with confidence that they will help you protect your data.

  3. Why are some establishments trying to block the work of VPNs?

    Among the main reasons why establishments try to block the work of VPNs is the unwillingness of guests to gain access to classified information and databases, as well as the ban on viewing streaming content that is blocked in a given country. However, they may also try to block the work of VPNs due to low bandwidth and network load when using VPNs.

  4. What content is safe to view on public Wi-Fi?

    You can enjoy general browsing of sites and various platforms that do not contain personal information by connecting to public Wi-Fi. However, do not forget that on your device, such as a phone, for example, some applications continue to transfer your data to the Internet even if you are not currently using them. Be aware of this fact and try to protect yourself as much as possible.