The rules for the safe use of Wi-Fi are named

Saving mobile traffic and the habit of not turning off Wi-Fi when leaving home — two reasons why a smartphone becomes vulnerable to cybercriminals, the expert told.

One of the most serious cyber threats associated with public Wi-Fi, according to an expert, is man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. In such cases, attackers can intercept data when they are between your device and a Wi-Fi access point.

«Cybercriminals can read, modify or even steal sensitive information such as passwords and card numbers. Because anyone can connect to a public Wi-Fi network, it is impossible to determine exactly who can view or intercept your data on the Internet,&rdash; the expert said.

Hackers can also use special software to intercept and monitor user traffic on public Wi-Fi networks. This allows them to collect sensitive information such as login credentials.

The third threat the expert provided is fake Wi-Fi networks created by cybercriminals. These networks look real, but are actually designed to steal information. By connecting to them, you inadvertently reveal your data.

To protect your data on public Wi-Fi networks, you should avoid doing sensitive transactions, such as banking transactions or online shopping, while you're connected to public Wi-Fi, an expert advises. If you notice several access points with similar names (for example, restaurantguest, restaurantfree, etc.), check with the staff of the establishment which network is better to use. It's also not recommended to leave your smartphone's Wi-Fi feature on all the time while on the move, as this can lead to automatic connections to unsecured networks without your knowledge.

“If your device has a firewall installed, make sure it is activated: this will help block unauthorized access attempts and increase the security of your connection, – the interlocutor noted.

Also, don't forget to regularly update your devices and software to install the latest security patches and protect your device from online threats, the expert recommended.