How can you secure your operating system on public Wi-Fi?

1 Update your system

One of the most important steps you can take is to keep your operating system up to date. Updates often contain patches for security flaws and bugs that hackers can exploit. You should also update your applications, especially your browser and antivirus software. Updating your system and apps can help you avoid known attacks and improve your performance.

3 Enable firewall and antivirus

A firewall is a software or hardware that blocks unauthorized access to your device or network. An antivirus is a software that detects and removes malicious programs from your device. Both are essential for protecting your operating system from hackers, malware, and viruses. You should enable your firewall and antivirus before connecting to public Wi-Fi and keep them running while you are online. You should also scan your device regularly for any suspicious activity or files.

4 Avoid sensitive activities

Even if you follow the previous tips, you should still be careful about what you do on public Wi-Fi. You should avoid logging into your personal or financial accounts, entering your passwords or credit card information, or downloading or uploading any sensitive files. These activities can expose your data to hackers who can steal your identity, money, or information. If you need to perform any of these tasks, you should use your mobile data or wait until you reach a secure network.

5 Turn off sharing and Bluetooth

Sharing and Bluetooth are features that allow you to exchange files or connect with other devices. However, they can also make your device visible and vulnerable to hackers on public Wi-Fi. You should turn off sharing and Bluetooth when you are not using them and disable any automatic connections to unknown devices or networks. You should also change your device name to something less identifiable and use a strong password for your device.

6 Disconnect when done

Finally, you should disconnect from the public Wi-Fi network as soon as you are done with your online activities. This will reduce the exposure of your device and data to potential threats. You should also forget the network from your device settings so that it does not automatically reconnect the next time you are in range. You should also clear your browser history and cache and delete any temporary files that might have been downloaded or stored on your device.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?