Be careful on vacation: 90 % of the cell phone users endanger your data!

Be careful on vacation: 90 % of the cell phone users endanger your data!

With the continued rush for the holiday season, which is rising to their climax, many travelers face the challenge of using their digital devices safely. According to a current survey by YouGov on behalf of Kaspersky, 90 percent of mobile phone users are at risk, while 15 percent even access public WLAN without any protective measures. These figures illustrate the risks associated with the use of unsecured networks, especially in countries in which one also depends on the hotel WLAN.

Public WLAN is popular, but it harbors considerable dangers. These unsecured networks are often not only widespread in Germany, but worldwide. 28 percent of the respondents state that they avoid passwords or bank details in uncertain networks. Nevertheless, 12 percent use personal WLAN hotspots through tethering to secure their connections. Only around 10 percent rely on VPN services to protect your data traffic. However, travelers should make sure that not all VPN providers are reliable because some can also endanger data.

risks from unsecured networks

The dangers in connection with unencrypted public WLAN hotspots are serious. The attackers can interfere with malware and spy on users. It is therefore particularly important to not only use a VPN client, but also to pay attention to encrypted websites. These can be recognized by "https: //" in the address, whereby a green symbol or a padlock often gives an indication of the safety of the page. Nevertheless, even a “https: //” does not guarantee the seriousness of the website.

The consumer advice center advises deactivating the file or directory approval to prevent unwanted access to personal files. Another security risk is fake WLAN networks with which criminal unsuspecting users can lure into prepared networks. In order to protect yourself from it, it is advisable to delete saved networks regularly so that it is not unintentionally connected to such fake networks.

measures to secure data

To feel safer in public WiFi, users should take some precautionary measures. The recommendations include the use of a VPN tunnel that encrypt the data exchange between the end device and the router. There are various programs or apps from providers, and experienced users can even set up their own VPN server.

The use of public WLAN networks is inevitable in many countries, especially for travelers. However, it is important to find out about the potential risks and take suitable measures to ensure your own digital security. For more information on this topic, Inside Digital and Consumer center