Jakarta, domclub Indonesia
—
Google
warns Android users to avoid using the network
Public Wi-Fi
.The reason is, according to Google, cybercriminals can use the network as an entry point for Trojan horses to steal user bank account information.
The warning was published in a guide titled “Behind the Screen” for Android and iPhone users as online fraud becomes more prevalent.
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According to the brief, 94 percent of people reported receiving fraud via text message, while 73 percent of people were very concerned about mobile fraud.
“This message fraud scenario has evolved into a sophisticated global enterprise designed to inflict severe financial loss and emotional suffering on unsuspecting victims,” Google said in its report, reported
The New York Post
, Tuesday (11/11).
The latest scenario is the hacking of a public Wi-Fi network.The document states that these networks can be unencrypted and easily exploited by attackers, meaning that by using them, users are essentially providing bank account details and other sensitive information to hackers.
Cybersecurity expert Oliver Buxton of security company Norton said currently many public Wi-Fi networks are unencrypted and transmit data in plain text, making them vulnerable to attacks by cybercriminals.
“Hackers on the same network can intercept your online activity, including banking information, login credentials and private messages,” Oliver said.
He also warned about “malicious hotspots” aka fraudulent networks that trick users into connecting by impersonating legitimate Wi-Fi names.
“For example, if you’re staying at a Goodnight Inn and want to connect to the hotel’s Wi-Fi network, you might accidentally select ‘GoodNight Inn’ (with a capital N) instead of the correct network,” says Oliver.
“By doing so, you risk connecting to an ‘evil twin’ network created by cybercriminals to access your internet traffic,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) last June warned airline passengers not to use free public Wi-Fi or connect their devices to charging outlets at airports, for the same reason.
To determine if there is suspicious activity, Google recommends monitoring your bank account and credit reports regularly, as these can provide clues that your account has been hacked.
Forbes security expert Zak Doffman says that travelers can prevent Fi-jacking by following a few simple steps.
These steps include disabling automatic connections to public or unknown networks, ensuring network connections are encrypted, and carefully checking the Wi-Fi network to ensure that it is the official network of the hotel, cafe, or other location in question.
To ensure a secure connection, Doffman also suggests using a VPN from the version that can be purchased from developer Bluechip.Don’t use the free version, he says, because it can be more dangerous than not using a VPN at all.
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