How to keep your mobile hotspot secure

Do you know that it is possible for people to hack your phone’s hotspot and have access to your bank information and other private credentials without you knowing?

Yes, they can do this by connecting their phone, tablet or even laptop to your mobile hotspot even without your knowledge

Just recently, a young man was arrested? for defrauding a POS operative of a huge sum of money. He did this by simply connecting his phone to her hotspot and gaining access to her bank information.

This is the new trend which some unsuspecting men and women use to defraud innocent victims of their hard-earned money

But you can’t blame them, can you?

When a lot of people are in a jam working remotely or in transit, mobile hotspots are sometimes necessary to establish a network connection. If these people aren't near a secure network or if their own network isn't functioning properly, a mobile hotspot may be the best option. These users can quickly establish a network connection on a work device; access the software, data or whatever work materials they need to resolve an urgent issue; and then turn off the hotspot once they have completed the work.

Most people are accustomed to this feature on their mobile devices, especially smartphones, and it's a straightforward way to establish a network connection in a place without any secure Wi-Fi, such as a train or a bus. The problem is that mobile hotspots can be vulnerable. Hackers can find means to breach them or, worse, steal.

Potential dangers of sharing your mobile hotspot

IT “gurus” have many concerns about the use of mobile hotspot sharing because they lose control of what could be streaming over the internet connection. Hackers normally use something called “a packet sniffer” to intercept wireless communications, so a hotspot could expose a user's corporate login credentials. With this information, hackers could breach the corporate network and access sensitive or regulated internal data, trade secrets or financial information about employees.

Ways to prevent your mobile hotspot from hackers

In the wake of these cyber theft crimes ongoing in the country, keeping your hotspot secure is a must, as attackers may be able to see what you’re doing online or obtain your personal information using “a packet sniffer”.?

Others may also be able to access your hotspot without your knowledge, which can result in them having access to login credentials, bank information and many more. Whether you’re using a portable router or tethering to your smartphone, there are several ways to safeguard your mobile hotspot’s security.

1. Do not share your hotspot connections with people you don't know

It is possible for someone to hack your phone using your mobile hotspot. While mobile hotspots are usually protected by some form of encryption, easy-to-guess passwords can provide easy access for hackers. Hence, do not share your mobile hotspot with people you don't trust whether you are in a public or private gathering.

1. Set a strong password—and change it frequently

The first line of defense is in setting a strong password—one that’s lengthy and unique, ideally with an amalgamation of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. If you share your password with others who want to tether to your network, it’s also a good idea to change up your password often to limit who has access. The quickest and easiest way to do so is by using?

2. Change your SSID (hotspot network name)

Change the name of your mobile hotspot (SSID) if you’re able to. Not only does this help you easily identify your hotspot network when connecting a device, but it can also protect your login in the event that an attacker cracks a large database of pre-generated usernames and passwords for portable routers. This applies to hotspots on Android phones, too.

3. Use a VPN

Just like using any other Wi-Fi network, you can protect yourself by using a VPN on your device. By sending your traffic through an encrypted tunnel, a VPN keeps your online traffic private and secure. If you’re connected to a phone that’s been turned into a hotspot, use a VPN on both the phone and the device you’re connecting to it.

4. Get cheap data on 1app.online

Most times, the reason people chase after free Wi-Fi as it were is due to data. No doubt, some expensive data plans can force people to pick up their mobile devices and try tethering to your network. If you are among this set of people, it is advisable you play safe. You can always get data on 1app for as low as N240. Our data plans are so flexible they can accommodate your needs. See everything about them here