The Convenience Of Public Wi-Fi Outweighs The Risk Of Cyberthreats

(HealthNewsDigest.com) – At the end of 2013, SAP Software Solutions reported that there were more mobile devices on Earth than people. That’s a staggering statistic, especially when you take into account the large number of cyberattacks that happen every day. The world is more connected than ever and people are constantly using smartphones and other interconnected devices to find their news, use social media or stay in touch. There are numerous benefits of interconnectedness, but with it also comes cyberthreats people should be aware of.

In 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security designated October as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month to raise awareness ofcybersecurity issues. FBI findings suggest that millions of cyberattackshappen each day. Utah alone reported 20 million attempts per day last year. Connection to public Wi-Fi networks could be partially to blame. Many of the features that make public Wi-Fi so appealing, like free and easy internet access without using data, are also attractive to hackers looking to steal personal information.

A recent survey of 2,235 U.S. adults conducted by the University ofPhoenix suggests that the majority of people use public networks despite the risks. A quarter of adults say they almost always use unsecurenetworks when away from home and more than half (52 percent) say the convenience of using public Wi-Fi outweighs the risk.

“People need to understand that everything you put online can be exposed when the network you’re using isn’t secure,” says Dan Konzen, University of Phoenix College of Information Systems & Technology campus chair. “Bank credentials, passwords and other personal information can be stolen when you use networks that are open to anyone.”

The same survey suggests that people are unaware of the dangers of public Wi-Fi or simply don’t care. Sixty-one percent of adults useunsecure networks every day, but 60 percent say they don’t trust publicWi-Fi to keep their data safe. More than half of people use public Wi-Fiin places like parks, restaurants, libraries and hotels but keep online banking (2 percent) and social media use (28 percent) relatively low.

“What we post and do online is like a tattoo. It never goes away,”Konzen says. “We can’t always use secure networks, especially when we’re away from home, so people should be smart about the types of information they’re sharing when on public networks.”

If you have to use public networks, Konzen suggests using virtual private networks (VPNs), web proxies, and anonymous browsers, likeTor; confirm a network is safe before joining and make sure to limit the amount of personal information shared online. Using strong passwords, keeping software up to date, and using wireless hot spots, if available, are other ways to stay secure, he says.

University of Phoenix College of Information Systems & Technology prepares cyberprofessionals to combat increasing cybercrimes. The University offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees that teach the risk management and information assurance skills vital to an organization’s success.

For more information about each of these programs, including on-time completion rates, the median debt incurred by students who completed the program and other important information, please visitwww.phoenix.edu/programs/gainful-employment.

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