Users charged to install antivirus before using the Google Station free Wi-Fi

21ST CENTURY TECHNOL OGIES LIMITED (21CTL), said it strongly recommends that users install a personal antivirus and firewall on their wireless-enabled devices to block unwanted traffic and potentially malicious files before using the Google station free Wi-Fi that was launched last month in Lagos.

The leading Internet service provider (ISP) said users have sole responsibility for adequate protection and backup of data and equipment used in connection with the Google station free Wi-Fi service. Users will not make a claim against 21CTL for data loss, re-run time, inaccurate output, and work delays or lost profit resulting from the use of the service, the company said.

According to the firm, Google station free Wi-Fi service is not designed for and may not be used for backing up, storing, or retrieving information from our electronic device and the internet such as without limitation through a cloud data storage system.

However, it may at its discretion, block or limit access to certain websites that users may seek to access while using the service. These include websites or services that contain any viruses, malware or other computer programming routines that may damage, offensive websites that or promote racism, hatred of any kind against any group or individual, the company said.

The company reiterated it’s committed to safeguarding personal privacy and recognizes that individuals have a right to control how personally identifiable information is collected and used.

“21CTL will only collect, use, and store your personally identifiable information for the purpose of delivering the Service in accordance with these terms. We respond to notices of alleged copyright infringement and terminate accounts of repeat infringers according to the process set out in the Nigerian Copyright Act, Cap28.”

The company charged users to always look at the terms on its website as there could be modifications that apply to terms or changes to our Services. “You should look at the terms regularly. We’ll post notice of modifications to these terms on this page. If you do not comply with these terms, and we don’t take action right away, this doesn’t mean that we are giving up any rights that we may have such as taking action in the future, the company said.

Experts had already warned in the past that free Wi-Fi could be vulnerable to malicious attacks as they do not have information encrypted, adding that the only way one could use a free Wi-Fi without being vulnerable is to use a virtual private network (VPN)

“Nowadays when people go for events or lodge at hotels, they don’t care about the food and drinks but to have free access to public Wi-Fi, “Oluseyi Akindeinde, the chief technical officer at Digital Encode said in a cybersecurity conference in Lagos.

Oluseyi said most people demand free Wi-Fi not knowing the dangers it portends.

“Using free Wi-Fi exposes the consumer to hackers and in the process, they get to view personal information like bank details, credentials and so many other things.