1. The Basics: Understanding the Threat Landscape

Before we delve into the nitty-gritty, let’s cover some basic terminology:

• Phishing: Cybercriminals trick you into sharing sensitive information by posing as a trustworthy entity.
• Malware: Malicious software designed to harm or exploit any device, service, or network.
• Man-in-the-middle attack: Cybercriminals intercept and alter the communication between two parties.

2. Top 5 Essential Online Shopping Security Tips

1. Shop from trusted retailers

• Stick to well-known brands or stores.
• Look for customer reviews before buying from a new or unfamiliar website.

2. Ensure the website is secure.

• Always look for the https prefix in the URL.
• A small padlock symbol in the browser’s address bar indicates a secure connection.

3. Be Efficient About Your Personal Information

• Only provide the necessary information; if a site asks for more than usual, it’s a red flag.
• Avoid saving card details on websites; it’s safer to input them each time.

4. Use secure payment options

• Credit cards often offer more protection than debit cards.
• Consider using payment gateways like PayPal or Apple Pay which act as intermediaries and add an extra layer of security.

5. Keep Software and Systems Updated

• Regular updates contain security patches for potential vulnerabilities.
• Ensure your computer, mobile devices, and antivirus software are up-to-date.

3. Bonus Tips for the Avid Online Shopper

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of security by requiring two methods of verification.
• Regularly Check Your Account Statements: Any unusual activity can be a sign of fraud.
• Use Strong, Unique Passwords: And consider using a password manager to keep track of them.
• Stay Away from Public Wi-Fi: Public networks are less secure, making it easier for hackers to intercept your data.

4. Recognizing Red Flags: Signs of a Scammy Website

• Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals: If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
• Poor Website Design: Established businesses typically have polished websites.
• Suspicious Contact Information: Be wary if there’s only a form to fill out and no physical address.
• Lack of Security Certifications: Trusted seals like VeriSign or BBB Accredited Business are good indicators of a reputable site.

5. Stay informed.

The world of cybersecurity is always evolving. Various threats arise, but so do new defense methods. Subscribe to online security blogs or newsletters to keep informed.

6. Mobile Shopping: Securing Your On-the-Go Purchases

Mobile devices have become an integral part of our shopping habits. But they come with their own risks. Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Download Official Apps: Always get retailer apps directly from the App Store or Google Play. Avoid third-party stores that host malicious versions.
• Update Apps Regularly: Just like desktop software, keep shopping apps up to date.
• Avoid Clicking on Suspicious Links: Cybercriminals often send phishing links via SMS or messaging apps.

7. What to Do If You Suspect a Breach

• Change Your Password: If you think an account has been compromised, change your password immediately. Make sure it’s strong and original.
• Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements. Report any suspicious activity.
• Contact the retailer: If you suspect something is amiss with a specific online store, let them know. They might not know about a potential security breach.

8. Embrace VPNs for Extra Security

Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, are not just for the tech-savvy. They encrypt your data, ensuring that even if someone intercepted it, they couldn’t decipher it. When shopping online:

• Choose a Reputable VPN Provider: Not all VPNs are created equal. Do your research.
• Connect Before Shopping: Always ensure your VPN is connected before shopping.

9. Educate Your Friends

• Share Your Knowledge: Talk to your friends and family about online shopping security.
• Send Them Resources: Got an article or resource that helped you? Pass it along!

10. Final Thoughts

In the digital age, where online shopping is not just a convenience but often a necessity, ensuring that every transaction and online browsing is safe is of paramount importance. With the rise of sophisticated cyber threats, it’s essential to be proactive rather than reactive.

Armed with this comprehensive guide, you are now equipped to take on the online shopping world with confidence and savvy. Knowledge is power, and with the right precautions, your online shopping experience can be both fun and secure. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Stay vigilant, and may your cart always be full and your data be secure!

Happy secure shopping!

The post Online Shopping Security 101: How to Shop with Confidence and Stay Safe appeared first on WebSur.

Imagine this: you’ve spent weeks scouring the internet for your dream home. You stumble upon a website called HomesEh that has the perfect listing. But before you proceed, how certain are you of the website’s legitimacy and security? Let’s navigate the labyrinth of online real estate shopping together and explore top safety tips.

1. Ensure Website Authenticity

Before entering any personal or financial information, ensure the website is legitimate. Look for:

• HTTPS: This indicates the site uses secure protocols. Check for ‘https://’ in the web address.
• Domain check: Reputable sites often have clean, typo-free domains. Beware of spelling errors or odd domain extensions.

2. Research the Platform

Is the platform well-reviewed? Is it a positive experience for others? Google reviews or third-party websites like Trustpilot can offer valuable insights.

3. Avoid Oversharing

Never share more information than is necessary. Question why a site needs details like your social security number when booking a house viewing.

4. Secure Payment Methods

When making payments or deposits:

• Use credit cards over debit cards, as they offer better fraud protection.
• Avoid wire transfers unless you’re sure of the recipient.

5. Beware of Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals

Scammers often lure victims with unbelievably low prices. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

6. Trust Your Gut

Sometimes, the biggest red flags are intangible. If something feels off, trust your instincts.

7. Always Meet in Person (Safely)

While online platforms offer convenience, always arrange to see the property in person before committing. And when meeting, ensure it’s in a public place or take someone with you.

8. Regularly Update Your Software

One of the easiest ways hackers enter systems is through outdated software. Keeping your browser, operating system, and other key software up-to-date ensures you benefit from the latest security patches.

9. Utilize Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

When available, enable MFA. This typically requires not only a password and username but also something that only the user has on them. This is, i.e., a piece of information only they should know or have immediately at hand – like a physical token or a text message with a verification code.

10. Double-Check Agent Credentials

If you’re working with an online agent, make sure they are licensed. Most regions have an online database to verify real estate professionals’ credentials.

11. Be Cautious with Emails

Phishing attacks are common in the real estate industry. Always double-check email addresses and be wary of unsolicited emails or emails that urge immediate action, especially those that ask for personal or financial details.

12. Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Avoid using easily guessable passwords like “password123” or “admin.” Instead, create a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Consider using a password manager to keep track of your passwords.

13. Regularly Monitor Your Financial Statements

Keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements. If you notice any unfamiliar transactions, especially after making a real estate transaction online, report them immediately.

14. Check for Website Reviews and Testimonials

Before entering a transaction, review the website’s testimonies and feedback. Past users often share their experiences, both positive and negative, which can provide insights into the platform’s reliability.

15. Educate Yourself on Common Scams

Knowledge is your savior’s defense. Familiarize yourself with common online real estate scams. From fake listings to rental fraud, knowing these tricks can help you steer clear of potential pitfalls.

16. Secure Your Wi-Fi Network

If you’re browsing real estate listings from home, ensure your Wi-Fi network is secured. A protected network makes it difficult for hackers to intercept your data. Always use a strong, unique password for your router, and consider enabling WPA3 security if your router supports it.

17. Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

VPNs can add an extra layer of security, especially if you’re accessing real estate platforms from public Wi-Fi networks. They encrypt your data, making it harder for prying eyes to see your activities.

18. Always Check the Privacy Policy

Before providing information on a website, read their privacy policy. This document outlines how your data is used, stored, and protected. It will give you a clear idea of the website’s commitment to user data security.

19. Limit Social Media Sharing

While it’s tempting to share your upcoming potential home or property finds on social media, this can signal scammers or thieves about your buying intentions. This can lead to targeted scams.

20. Maintain Regular Backups

It’s essential to backup all your critical data. If your device is compromised while shopping for real estate online, having a recent backup will allow you to restore it without significant data loss.

Wrap Up

Digital transformation of the real estate sector has brought a host of conveniences. Yet, with these conveniences come challenges that we must actively address. By adopting a proactive and knowledgeable approach to online security, you ensure that your journey in online real estate remains both exciting and safe.

Remember, every step you take towards better online security is an investment in peace of mind. So, the next time you dive into the digital realm of property listings and virtual home tours, do so with confidence and awareness.

The post Navigating Real Estate Online: How to Ensure Shopping Security appeared first on WebSur.

If you’re interested in creating an online vaping store, there are a few key steps you should follow to ensure your business is successful. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a successful online vaping store.

Finding Your Niche in the Vaping Industry

The first step in creating an online vaping store is to find your niche within the industry. While there are many different types of vaping products available, it’s important to focus on a specific area of the market to differentiate yourself from competitors.

One way to find your niche is to research the different types of vaping products available and identify areas of the market that are underserved. For example, you might focus on selling high-end vaping devices or specialised e-liquids that appeal to a specific group of customers.

Understanding Your Target Audience

Once you’ve identified your niche, the next step is understanding your target audience. This involves researching the demographics and psychographics of your potential customers to create targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with them.

To understand your target audience, you can use tools like Google Analytics to gather data on your website visitors or conduct surveys and focus groups to get feedback directly from your customers. This information will help you tailor your products and marketing campaigns to better meet the needs and preferences of your target audience.

When it comes to setting up an online vaping store, one of the most important aspects to consider is how to accept payments from your customers. Fortunately, there are many payment gateway options available that can help you process payments securely and efficiently.

Choosing the Right Payment Gateway

When selecting a payment gateway for your online vaping store, there are several factors to consider. First, you’ll want to ensure that the gateway is compatible with your e-commerce platform and offers the features you need to process payments effectively.

You should also consider the fees associated with using the payment gateway, as well as any transaction limits or restrictions that may apply. Finally, you’ll want to ensure that the payment gateway offers robust security features to protect your customers’ sensitive information.

Some popular payment gateway options for online vaping stores include PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net. Each of these gateways offers a variety of features and benefits, so it’s important to research your options carefully and choose the one that best meets your needs.

Once you’ve set up your payment systems, the next step in creating a successful online vaping store is to create a compelling storefront that showcases your products and encourages customers to make a purchase.

Creating a Compelling Online Storefront

To create a compelling online storefront, you’ll want to focus on creating high-quality product images and descriptions that highlight the features and benefits of your vaping products. This can be done using a variety of tools and resources, including professional product photography, online graphic design platforms like Canva, and product description templates.

In addition to creating compelling product listings, you’ll also want to ensure that your online store is easy to navigate and use. This can be achieved by choosing a user-friendly e-commerce platform, creating clear product categories and subcategories, and including helpful product search and filtering tools.

Another important aspect of creating a successful online vaping store is to provide excellent customer service and support. This can include offering a variety of contact options, such as email, phone, and live chat support, as well as providing detailed product information and shipping and return policies.

Finally, you’ll want to focus on driving traffic and sales to your online store through a variety of marketing and promotional strategies. This can include social media marketing, email marketing, content marketing, and paid advertising, as well as search engine optimization (SEO) to improve your store’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs).

By following these strategies and focusing on providing high-quality products and excellent customer service, you can create a successful online vaping store in Canada that attracts customers and drives sales. With dedication and hard work, your online vaping store can become a thriving business in the competitive world of e-commerce.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Successful Online Vaping Store appeared first on WebSur.

If you visit the site of a large and well-known online store, then there is no reason to expect that you will be cheated. Large online stores have a multi-million dollar turnover, and there is absolutely no reason for them to “deal with nonsense”. Their owners have long ago realized that you can earn much more by conducting an honest business on the Internet than by engaging in deception of customers. Therefore, when you visit such a store, all your precautions should be to make sure that you are really on the page of the store you need, and not on a fake site. This will be obvious to you in the address bar of your browser.

So, rule number one, make sure that you spell the address of the site without errors! Make sure the site is genuine!

But what if the site is not too big or famous? Are all small or not very “old” sites owned by scammers and created to cheat? The question is rhetorical and the answer is obvious – of course not. Every online store starts somewhere. Smaller sites were also the ones that started out as small and have now grown into online supermarkets. It is on small sites that you often find very good deals and very attractive prices. After all, a small site should somehow “promote” itself and stand out against the general mass.

But how to assess the reliability of the site of a small online store? Here are a few recommendations.

Always visit the section About us, Contact us, etc. Any normal firm, this section should contain the registration information firm, the full address and telephone. If you are going to buy on this site, but are not sure yet, pay close attention to the description of the firm. Do not be lazy to write a short general letter to the online store. Or better yet – call the online store and ask a few questions about the product you are interested in.

So rule number two says – read and check the section or page “About the company”.

Well, let’s assume that with the section “About the company” you have successfully sorted out. The data are available, phone and mail are working, the staff responds to your request. Is it enough to make a purchase? Of course, it is not enough. Now just look at the site you visited. Is it done well? Is there a lot of material on it? After all, if the online store is a permanent trade, and not created for one week, it should look solid. More than once I’ve seen on sites “selling” the latest models of cell phones was not the simplest of functions, such as a shopping cart.

Here it should be noted that much enthusiasm in terms of “solidity” of the site is still not worth it. But also to make purchases on the site “clumsy work” is also not recommended.

Our third rule – the site should be solid, ie, have a certain visual minimum of impressiveness and quality.

Well, let’s assume that the site you’re interested in went through this filter as well. It would seem that the time has come to make a purchase. But take your time. Now is a good time to…check the reviews for this site! “Google” this site and everything related to it! Try to find negative reviews. Use different word combinations in your search that may help you. It’s important to note here that any firm that works should have not only positive reviews, but also negative ones. So, a moderate number of negative reviews should not scare you much, but rather should alert you to their complete absence, which is typical for brand new online stores.

Rule number four – look for site reviews on the Internet.

Now finally it is time to draw a line and pass a verdict. If the “researched” site passed all the stages of verification safely – you can make a purchase. But since you (or your friends) haven’t shopped at this site before, buy something cheaper to start with. Don’t go shopping for large sums at once. It makes sense to have a successful smaller transaction before you buy from this site in earnest!

The post 4 Rules, or How to Check the Reliability of the Internet Store appeared first on WebSur.

It works without a PIN-code. The following parameters are used for payments: card number, its expiration date and three-digit code to check the authenticity of the card. Card payment system Mastercard has a code called CVC2.

The use of such cards for payments via the Internet increases the security level of the transactions executed, since the virtual card allows not to disclose the main card details.

When you create a virtual card, you set a limit on it yourself. For example, you need to buy a TV for 400 dollars at an online store, but you don’t want to enter your bank card data for fear of fraud. Then you should create a virtual debit card with a $400 limit and pay for the purchase. No one else will be able to use this debit card later, since the limit on it has been used up. You can set a limit on the card that is higher than the cost of online purchases. In this case, you can set a one-time debit limit, which cannot be exceeded, which also reduces the risk of fraud. The card can be blocked or deleted at all.

Virtual cards are issued in U.S. dollars and euros and come in single-use and multi-use versions. Their validity may vary from one day to several years. Virtual cards can be purchased not only at bank branches (in the form of a plastic card) but also via the Internet, ATMs, or mobile communications (without a tangible medium). You can replenish the virtual card in the bank branches or through remote banking systems. Banks can set limits on the amount and number of operations performed on the virtual card per month.

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You don’t have to be one of them. Read on and take precautions to protect your hard-earned money and shop safely.

How online shopping puts you at risk

Shopping online may seem safe, but that’s far from the truth. It takes two things to be safe: an online store that cares about customer safety, and smart consumers who know how to protect their personal information.

Hacking and identity theft are not as visible as traditional theft, and hackers are harder to catch. However, millions of people fall victim to online theft each year. You don’t have to be one of the victims. With a few simple rules and tricks, you can shop safely on your smartphone.

Basic rules to prevent online fraud

• Only shop on HTTPS sites

Make sure that the online store you visit uses HTTPS. This means that your data is protected by basic TLS encryption all the way from your browser to the site where you shop. HTTPS sites aren’t necessarily super-secure, but if an administrator has implemented HTTPS to protect your data, you know they’ve taken at least one important step. It’s easy to check – just look in the address bar to see if there’s a padlock icon next to the web address. If the Web site is unsafe, you’ll see a circle with an “i” on Android devices and an “Unsafe” message on iOS.

• Make sure you’re visiting a legitimate online store

Before you enter any personal information to complete your purchase, make sure you’re at the right online store. Hackers and scammers have many opportunities to redirect you to the wrong website or, in other words, spoof the URL. You might think you’re buying new sneakers directly from Nike, but you ended up at “n1ke.com” (hypothetical example). If that’s the case, it’s time to delete everything you just entered and back off!

• Be careful with URL shorteners

Marketers love URL shorteners because they make long URLs filled with tracking codes less unsightly. However, scammers can also use URL shorteners to hide the URL they send you to. When you see ads with an abbreviated URL, consider going to the brand’s website yourself by simply using the address bar. Chances are, you’ll find the same deal on their site. Otherwise, it’s possible that the URL abbreviation you listed was used by a scammer. There’s nothing wrong with clicking on a shortcut, but if you do, make sure the URL you go to looks legitimate.

• Avoid links in emails

Another method that scammers can use to get your credit card information is phishing. This is a very popular and effective way to “hack someone” using carefully crafted emails. They usually offer you discounts or offers that are hard to refuse. They may also include a fake URL that will take you to an order page and make the scam even more convincing. Whenever you get an email like this-especially on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or just before New Year’s Eve-ask yourself the following questions:
What are they asking for? Most legitimate websites won’t ask you for more information after you make a purchase. If an email asks you for a password or some information that should already be on the site, it’s a scam.
Where do these links lead? You’d better not click on any links in the email before you check the URL they sent you. Does it use the same domain name (“paypal” for www.paypal.com) and top-level domain (“.com” for www.paypal.com)? You can hover over the link or right-click on it before you click on it to see where it leads.
Who is the sender? Anyone can set their visible name as “Paypal.com” or “SberBank,” but only an employee of these companies can use an email address ending in @paypal.com Make sure you research their email address carefully before trusting them.

• Never shop on public

Wi-Fi networks If possible, never shop online on public Wi-Fi networks. Public Wi-Fi is an ideal place for scammers and hackers to operate. These networks have low security and can be scanned by hackers looking for weak connections. If you absolutely must use public Wi-Fi, install and run a VPN on your smartphone. An encrypted connection ensures that your online banking or credit card credentials are safe when you click “Buy.”

• Keep track of your debit and credit card statements

This may seem obvious, but you should always keep track of your purchases and their prices. This can help you spot potential hacks or dishonest business practices so you can react as soon as possible. Legitimate companies may manipulate discounts or add hidden fees that will be charged to you after you complete your purchase.

If you use the banking app, turn on push notifications to keep track of the payments you make. You can even call your bank to see what other notification options are available, or simply order your debit card or credit card statements. Pay attention to fraudulent payments. When you see them, contact your bank to dispute the charge and close the card. This will make the leaked information useless in the hands of a hacker.

• Consider using a virtual credit card

A virtual card is exactly what it looks like – a purely digital bank card that can only be used online. By linking it to a real credit or debit card you own, you can make purchases online without even revealing the actual card information. You can also set up your virtual card so that it only allows you to make purchases for a certain amount or expires after a certain day.

• Update your browser regularly

Your browser is what takes you from one online store to another. That’s why it’s important to keep it updated to take advantage of the latest security improvements and bug fixes.
There are many hacking techniques that target the vulnerabilities of outdated browser versions or unprotected online stores. After all, updates are usually released to fix known vulnerabilities. Don’t give hackers a chance and stay informed.

• Practice strong password protection

Good password protection is always important, but it’s easy to forget that when you create new accounts to shop at different online stores. Creating unique and secure passwords for each site (and remembering them) can be tricky, but there are tools that can help you – password managers.

• Shop only from trusted apps

When using shopping apps, be sure to download them from official sources: the Play Store for Android users and the App Store for iOS. Avoid downloading apps from suspicious sites, as this is an easy way to get malware on your smartphone. However, not all apps in official stores are trustworthy. We recommend always checking reviews and looking for more information about the developers.

The less information you provide, the better After making a few purchases on trustworthy websites, you begin to understand what data they require:

• Your payment information;
• The address where you want them to ship your product;
• Your name and contact information.

If a website asks you for more personal information, turn around and leave. Some websites ask for additional information for marketing purposes, but this is not required. No website should ask for your personal identification number or password to access another site or service in order to sell you something. If they ask, turn around and run – you’re probably about to be scammed. One last piece of advice – always be vigilant. If something sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.

The post Shopping via Smartphone – How to Secure Payments appeared first on WebSur.

Ever since we were children, we know that we have to wash our hands when we come in from the street. But we don’t think much about the fact that by the same principle (“from the street”) our mobile devices can also get sick. More specifically, your data can be stolen.

How to protect yourself from sly crooks taking advantage of the naivety of fans of free public Wi-Fi? We asked information security experts to explain to us the rules of hygiene.

I’m not afraid of anything, because I use strong passwords.

Difficult passwords are fine, but they can still be cracked. It just takes longer for programs to figure out the key relative to “qwerty12345”. In the case of Wi-Fi hotspots, the password has nothing to do with it, even if it contains over twenty characters, alternating Cyrillic/Latin, special symbols and numbers. The vulnerability appears at the moment when the device joins a public network.

Consider also that gadgets can automatically connect to known networks. For example, you went to a cafe and used a local hotspot, getting the password from the waiter. The next time you go in, your smartphone or laptop will connect to that network when Wi-Fi access is enabled. Moreover, in some establishments or public networks there is not even a password – anyone can connect.

What is the danger of automatic connection?

With the right skills an intruder can easily access the data from the computers connected to the point. Attackers can also create a doppelganger – a network with the same name (network ID, SSID) and password. Of course, there is no guarantee that the connection will be made to the “evil twin”, but this variant is possible: for example, such a network can have a stronger signal and you have an automatic connection installed or you will just be unlucky when choosing between two networks with the same name.

By pairing your device to a rogue network, you run the risk that the data sent from your gadget will fall into the wrong hands. Your accounts and bank cards are at risk, as well as information from the drive if viruses were able to leak into your computer.

So the first tip is to disable automatic connection to known networks in your device settings. This item is usually found in the wireless access settings.

You can recognize the twin only by indirect signs. Firstly, the browser can warn you of the potential danger when opening pages: by displaying an encryption error message or simply by not opening the site. Secondly, sometimes substituted pages are not always identical to the original. If suddenly you see different fonts on a familiar resource (and you did not change them in your browser), there is no animation or it is not the same as usual – this is a serious reason to beware.

With an “evil twin” a fake site may have the same URL as the real one. The malicious user will simply give you a fake site using his DNS.

We recommend that you change your DNS servers to Google’s DNS servers when connecting to a public network.

In practice, it is almost impossible to identify a twin. It is impossible to patent or license an access point name. Anyone can deploy access points with any name, even if similar ones already exist.

So what to do?

If your mobile operator has a financially acceptable plan, then use the Internet from your smartphone, and if necessary, distribute traffic to your laptop. But this is not always possible – say, when traveling abroad. You can go broke on Internet roaming traffic.

The first rule of working safely on public networks: never connect to public networks. The second rule of working safely on public networks: never connect to public networks at all.

If you really need to, follow these rules:

• Don’t use a public network to access mail, social networks, online banking and other important services. Searching on Google, watching YouTube is acceptable.
• “Proper” public networks should have an authorization page – you enter your phone number there, they send you a code.
• Check the certificate on the network’s authorization page. If the network does not have an authorization page, do not connect to it.
• The certificate on the authorization page must be trusted.

Okay, then what NOT to do?

• Try not to shop online or enter passwords while your device is connected to a public hotspot.
• As cliché as it sounds, make sure no one can see what password you are entering. Just in case, check to see if there’s a security camera above you.
• Do not connect to networks that do not require a password at all. The “MTS_wifi_free” may not be an access point of a well-known operator, but just a bait for gullible people.

The user should understand that when connecting to an open Wi-Fi network in a subway, hotel or airport, his data could be intercepted by an intruder. The risk of such connection is high, that’s why we advise against using Wi-Fi networks that do not have a password. Such networks are easy to connect to and just as easy to intercept any user’s data. Attackers with basic hacking skills can easily intercept traffic, including users’ passwords from Internet banking, email, etc.

And one more tip – when connecting, pay attention to the type of encryption: ideally, WPA2-Enterprise should be used.

What kind of encryption is this, and why do I need to know about it?

The type of encryption in Wi-Fi is a characteristic that has to do with the security of the network, not the user. The more complex the type of encryption, the harder it is to pick a password to access.

WEP encryption is the least secure because it transmits several bytes of the encryption key along with each data packet. Consequently, regardless of the complexity of the key, any transmission can be exposed by intercepting a sufficient number of packets. Using special software, the task will take a few seconds.

The strongest type of encryption is WPA2 (IEEE 802.11i). It uses the AES encryption standard (128-bit block size, 128/192/256-bit key) that is resistant to tampering. There are two varieties of WPA2:

WPA2-PSK (Personal) – login to the network is by a single password for all clients; WPA2-Enterprise – password is checked against a remote database on a third-party server. The password is unique for each node. As far as I know, no one has been able to crack WPA2-Enterprise yet.

WPA2-Enterprise encryption is available only in the corporate environment, and to rare users. This type of encryption requires an additional RADUIS-server – a separate protocol for the implementation of authentication and authorization.

WPA2 PSK (or WPA2-Personal) encryption has one key for all, this is convenient for home use, as usually all those connecting are trusted users. However, using WPA2 PSK in public places can lead to loss of sensitive data. Users should also avoid Wi-Fi access points if they have WPS enabled. This is a technology that is specifically designed to make it easier for devices to connect to a Wi-Fi network. An intruder can penetrate such a network, even if it uses strong encryption.

How else can I protect myself?

Use a VPN, also known as a virtual private network. It’s a generic name for technologies that are used for different purposes. For example, you can use a VPN to switch your location to access blocked resources in your country (let’s pretend we don’t know what sites we’re talking about).

In short, a VPN is a network inside a network. Imagine an oil pipeline with a cocktail pipe inside it – that’s what a VPN is. The technology forms a separate encrypted channel through which data is transmitted. If you want, of course, you can hack it too, but it’s not easy to do.

Also try to open sites starting from “https://имя domain”. HTTPS is an extension to the HTTP protocol, which allows for encrypted data transmission. Many resources, especially the larger ones, support it.

Some resources also use SSL to transfer information between the server and the client. It is considered secure even on public networks.

Conclusions

The basic rules of hygiene are as follows:

• If possible, do not connect to public Wi-Fi, and when it is unavoidable, choose the password-protected networks and use a VPN
• Do not make purchases or enter passwords to log in to accounts on resources when your device is connected to a public network without an urgent need.

The post What are the Dangers of Public Wi-Fi Networks and How to Protect Your Data appeared first on WebSur.