The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) shared tips on how the public can safely use the internet when browsing public WI-FIs.
Public WI-FIs are free and easily accessible internet provided in establishments such as malls, cafes, airports and hotels.
While convenient, cybersecurity experts said that such connections are risky because users “may become soft targets for hackers.”
“Along with legitimate users, a hacker can also get into the network without providing any authentication. Once logged in, the hacker only has to find a way to get access to your device, either by being between you and the Wi-Fi access point, or even by compromising devices within the public Wi-Fi infrastructure,” a cybersecurity expert said on its website.
“In addition, hackers can use an unsecured, public Wi-Fi hotspot to put malware on your device, as well as distribute it to others. This can be done by putting malware on your computer while you are connected to the network or even by hacking the hotspot itself, causing it to install a pop-up on your device when you connect,” it added.
The DICT advised Filipinos to stay protected when using public Wi-Fi by refraining from accessing their banking apps, verifying that the network name is legitimate, turning off auto-connect on their phones and logging out of their accounts after use.
The agency also said that if users need to access banking apps, they should use their own mobile data instead.
“Hindi lahat ng ‘Free WiFi’ ay safe space. Stay connected, pero stay protected,” it said in its post.
Cybersecurity experts suggested that public Wi-Fi users install VPNs because they protect data through encryption.
