Free Wi-Fi comes at a price tag on privacy

Phone number is the most important identity of any individual which is linked to your bank account, Aadhaar, Facebook, Twitter and everything else. Hackers can access your device through public Wi-Fi

Don't be too happy when you see a free Wi-Fi at a coffee shop, airport, restaurant or mall, because though you may be unaware, they are sweet spots for hackers. There is a huge flaw in the encryption standard WPA2, that secures all modern Wi-Fi networks. This flaw allows anyone near another to easily access your information if you use a Wi-Fi network. Some of the ethical hackers have used tools to demonstrate how they can get personal details of people, when using Wi-Fi. Even Ministry of Home Affairs, as part of cyber security awareness advised people to refrain from financial transactions on public networks as they might not be secured.

Attackers can gain access to your phone or laptop through Wi-Fi and steal data. One of the biggest threats with free Wi-Fi is the ability of hackers to position themselves between you and the connection point. Identity theft is the number one cybercrime. So if you in a Wi-Fi spot you are giving details to the hacker.

Most social network sites ask for birthday or family relations or you post a picture of your pet or first car. These are the same details which we provide for recovering our password.

For instance if your mother's maiden name is your secret question, a person can go to your Facebook profile, look for your family relations and figure out the maiden name and they can gain access to your bank account.

With LinkedIn giving your professional details, Facebook revealing your family details and Twitter your political views, it is easy to piece together your identity and use it against you or target you.

Downloading songs, movies or applications from public networks is informing the hacker about your vulnerability. A cyber security expert Mr C. Satish said, “Any information you share on public network is as good as gone. If there is no other option, never open personal identifiable information. Often these hotspots seek your email ID or phone number. Phone number is the most important identity of any individual which is linked to your bank account, Aadhaar, Facebook, Twitter and everything else.”

Furthermore, the contact details shared with public administrators can be used for marketing and profiling which will lead to unwanted calls or SMS or emails.

A senior police official said, “It is important to always keep your information private. When your personal information is exposed, people can easily target you either through financial threats or death threats. Often criminals use your vacation announcements as an opportunity for theft.”