As for Jake Moore, a security consultant at ESET, he said that the danger of these networks “is no longer as great as it was in the past, but it still exists.”

Dr. Neri explained that the level of risk depends on the device’s setting and the nature of its use, adding that “avoiding logging into sensitive accounts, such as email or bank accounts, is an essential step when using a public Wi-Fi network.”

For his part, Dr. Abel Yeboah-Ofori, associate professor of cybersecurity at the University of West London, explained, “Google is right in its warning, as public Wi-Fi networks are one of the most prominent weaknesses that cybercriminals exploit.”

Google points out in its report that smartphones and their networks have facilitated our daily lives by improving communication and organization, but at the same time they have opened the door to a “sophisticated global criminal project” that targets unwary users to achieve huge financial gains.

According to the document, fraud operations last year alone caused losses exceeding $400 billion globally, while a survey conducted by Google revealed that 94% of people received fraudulent text messages requesting personal or financial information.

Golden rules to keep you safe while using public Wi-Fi networks:

1. Disable automatic connection to public or unknown networks, to avoid connecting to fake networks.

2. Do not download any application or enter personal data into restricted access portals unless absolutely necessary.

3. Check site encryption (HTTPS) before entering any sensitive data, and avoid unexpected pop-ups.

4. Verify the network identity before connecting to it, especially in public places such as hotels, airports, and cafes.

5. Use a reliable, paid VPN from reputable developers, and stay away from free or unsecured networks that may pose a greater risk than not using a VPN at all.

Source: Daily Mail