Many people who use their laptops and devices for work find themselves doing work wherever they are, from the comfort of their home office, to a hotel or perhaps an airport lounge. They all have Wi-Fi available and often for free, however not all Wi-Fi is created equally. Should you find yourself having to use somebody else’s network for internet access it is important to consider the security concerns due to the fact it is not under your control. Should you find yourself in need of sending important emails or sensitive information, there are some simple things you can do to improve your security.
Mobile Data
If like billions of others you have a mobile phone, then it is likely you have some mobile data available. By setting up a hotspot Wi-Fi and connecting your device, you can avoid connecting to any network and thus avoid security issues. You may even prefer to just send emails on your phone. Mobile data isn’t always a good option however as it can be expensive depending on tariff and location or simply be unavailable. Using this method places trust in the service operator.
Secured Wi-Fi
If you stay in a hotel or BnB then it is likely that they have their own Wi-Fi network for their premises. If configured properly it will be secured (requires password) and encrypted. This offers decent security and will be the typical way many people do it. This method places trust in the network owner/operator, you do not control the settings, and you have to trust them to run it responsibly. It is a good idea to run a VPN at the same time as not all setups are installed correctly and you have no guarantee without being an I.T. engineer
Unsecured Wi-Fi
If you find a “free” Wi-Fi network, it might be useful for casual browsing, checking the weather and the news. By connecting to any insecure network you are sending information out in a plain readable format that could be easily intercepted, it is therefore not recommended that you use this method, it is extremely dangerous. This exposes your whole device to others as apps will communicate in the background and could expose your data. Not a good idea!
VPN – Virtual Private Network
You may have heard the acronym VPN, various companies advertise online offering software that hugely improves online safety and privacy. In essence, you are sending your information through a private tunnel to the VPN provider who access the internet on your behalf. This obfuscates your identity and provides complete encryption to all your connections. Websites, malicious actors and even your ISP will not be able to intercept your communications. The trust in this case is entirely placed on the VPN provider. This software works regardless of how you are connected and is increasingly popular, though usually not free.
I hope you have a better understanding of how to work more safely while working away. In case you have any questions I’m available for a chat – 01522 797520.
Ben
