Chargebacks911® COO Monica Eaton, a leading expert in the payments and fintech fields, was asked to share security advice for a recent Reader’s Digest article detailing the risks and rewards of free Wi-Fi.
Reader’s Digest is America’s fourth-largest magazine brand by circulation. After nearly a century in publication, RD stands out more than ever in today’s cultural landscape due to its themes of optimism, faith, heroism, trust, humor, and wellness.
Eaton wants everyone to be more cautious with their data. Using free wifi can open your personal information up to shady characters accessing the same network. Some steps she promotes to keep your data out of a fraudster’s reach:
- Try to stick to https websites, instead of http. The S in the URL denotes a higher level of encryption.
- Make sure you’re logging into the right Wi-Fi—the official one from the library or restaurant—and not just a random Wi-Fi network that could be created by a hacker.
- Don’t transmit your password, credit card data, or other private info. Wait until you’re on a secure connection before you make online purchases.
“Just because something is free doesn’t mean it’s safe,” Monica reminds us. “If you need to look at something online immediately—like a map, or your hotel’s street address—then free Wi-Fi can be a lifesaver. But beware: Wi-Fi that’s open to you is open to others as well.”
While free Wi-Fi can be a wonderful thing, a little caution can save you heaps of trouble in the long run.
