It is not recommended to use public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like online banking due to potential security risks. Here are some suggestions on what you can do to protect yourself when using a public Wi-Fi network:
- Check your network: Make sure your connection is secure and the name of the network matches what is posted at the premises you are in.
- Protect your device: Ensure both your device is up-to-date with the latest security updates, and you are running up-to-date anti-virus software.
- Only allow encrypted sites: Make sure you can only access encrypted websites. These websites start with https instead of http.
- Avoid sensitive tasks: If possible, try to avoid performing sensitive tasks, such as online banking or accessing important accounts/documents, over a public network.
- Disable sharing: Make sure to disable file-sharing/ file-exchange features on your device.
- Sign out of accounts: After you are done, make sure to sign out of any accounts or applications you may have signed in to.