Are you guilty of this online banking mistake?
When you’re out and about only to realise you’ve run out of mobile data, finding a free public Wi-Fi hotspot can feel like a godsend. But cyber security experts are warning that the 51 per cent of Australians who do this (according to a Norton survey) are putting their bank details at risk.
Why? Because cyber criminals can easily set up these legitimate-looking public hotspots, then use them to intercept whatever websites you browse – including your private details.
This is a particularly serious issue for Australians who use public networks while at the shops, library, airport or cafes to login to their online banking. Each time you enter your username and password, you could be giving hackers exactly what they’re looking for.
“It’s very profitable for criminals to gather your valuable details,” cyber security expert Ryan Kalember from Proofpoint told news.com.au. “You just shouldn’t be looking at your bank account on a public Wi-Fi, particularly if you’re re-entering your password.
“In public Wi-Fi at airports, most people are posting the SSID, the name of their legitimate wireless network, which is usually what you’re able to connect to. If you’re on a smartphone, you’ll usually see the words ‘security recommendations’ below the wireless network, which is known to be trusted.
“But it’s not impossible for an attacker to use a fake network via a device known as a ‘pineapple’.”
And if these attackers manage to get their hands on your sensitive information, they can use it to steal your money or sell your details on the dark web.
The moral of the story? Don’t automatically assume every Wi-Fi hotspot out there is secure.
“Usually the most secure networks are those with no password, but a Captive Login Portal that appears once you click on the network. Remember, anything you wouldn’t want somebody else to see (such as your online banking password) you shouldn’t put on public Wi-Fi.”