Using public wifi without worry
Less dangerous than it used to be, but there are still two things to avoid.
Nearly every site now encrypts its traffic, so somebody on the same wifi cannot read what you are doing the way they once could. The remaining risks are narrower.
Worth doing
- Check the address bar says https and the site name is the one you expect before typing a password.
- If your browser warns you about a certificate on public wifi, stop. That warning is the one that still matters.
- Turn off automatic connection to open networks, so your phone does not join a hotspot named after a cafe you once visited.
- Use your mobile data for anything involving money. It is simpler than judging a network.