Why I pause before latching onto public Wi-Fi. The pros of widespread Wi-Fi networks at malls, coffee shops, etc, "luckily" without need for passwords, is appreciated by most.
BUT what could go wrong? Answer: Potential personal data leaks.

We’re on lockdown so…a short thread.

I’ll be the messenger and provide some insight into the risks you open yourself to by readily connecting to public hotspots.
There are two main types of public Wi-Fi networks: those that encrypt communication between the router and the connected devices, and those that don’t.

The latter devices you will typically identify by the fact that they don't require a password or identification from the user to connect. BINGO right!!?

The router or access point’s main function is to ferry “data packets” (information) from your device into the world wide web (who still says this?), and back to you.

Where the connection is not encrypted, technically any device connected to the network could get hold of this data providing unfettered access to your data for hackers who can see your entire data exchange with the router.
The go-to technique for hackers is often what is called..

‘man in the middle attack’ wherein they step in the line of connection between the user and the router so that as you send you data packets out they first go to the hacker; then to the router, with the same route followed back. See where this is going?

With this trick, hackers can easily get their hands on your account details, usernames, passwords, and in certain cases even our online banking information; they can also spread hostile programs on the connected to the network.

BUT, BUT BUT, there are some networks that are based on more secure and encrypted protocols like Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) – but the waiter doesn't bring this to VIP with the menu does she?, unfortunately.

While a lil more challenging, hackers can create a clone of the “secure” network creating what’s referred to as an “evil-twin”, resembling the same network name, username and password. [But they’d need access to the physical router for this thereby more conspirators ].

Solution: unfortunately the one safe-proof method would be to avoid public Wi-Fi networks alltogether. But I’ll be first to admit it’s not always practical. So I advise the following:

Normalise ()to only log in on websites which have the so-called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). The websites are recognisable by the “https://” prefix (e.g. https://twitter.com/  ) in the search bar of a browser, accompanied by a small locker icon in front of it.

[we can’t fully rely on SSL either but story for another thread]
Additional parting shot: Avoid saving login details on a public Wi-Fi network in order to prevent the device from connecting to it automatically.