Free WiFi Networks Are Not Actually Free… They Sell YOU

We've all been there—sipping on that overpriced coffee in a café, casually scrolling through emails, maybe even doing some online shopping (because why not?). All thanks to the glorious, "free" WiFi. But here's the catch: that free WiFi comes at a cost—your privacy.

Public WiFi hotspots are like a candy store for hackers. And no, they’re not going after your saved memes.

They want your data, passwords, and basically anything else you hold dear online. But don’t worry, it’s free WiFi! (Said no one who had their bank details stolen.)

Evil Twin Attack: When Free WiFi Isn’t Your Friendly as Expected

Ever heard of an Evil Twin Attack? No, it's not the plot of a bad soap opera. It's when a hacker sets up a fake WiFi network that looks exactly like the legit one you're trying to connect to. You connect, and boom! You've handed over your personal data to the bad guys.

Now you might say, "But I just wanted to check my Facebook!" Sure, but hackers don’t care. Once you’re connected, they can steal everything—from your browser history to your social media credentials. Sweet, right?

Is Airport Wi-Fi a Trap? How Hackers Can Steal Your Data and How to Protect Yourself

Airports are hubs of activity—people rushing to catch flights, grabbing quick coffee, or checking emails while waiting for their boarding calls. In the midst of all this, free public Wi-Fi seems like a gift. But here’s the thing: it’s a hacker’s playground. Without knowing it, you could be

MEDevel.com: Open-source for Healthcare, and EducationHazem Abbas

More Ways Hackers Are Lurking Around Public WiFi

1- Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks

These lovely individuals sit between you and the website you’re visiting, intercepting and even altering communication. Imagine thinking you're on your bank’s site, but nope, it's just a fancy imposter taking all your info.

2- Malware Injection

Hackers can inject malware into your device via public WiFi without you even realizing it. So, while you’re busy binge-watching cat videos, malware is doing its thing in the background.

3- Packet Sniffing

This is like eavesdropping, but for your internet traffic. Hackers use tools to “sniff” the data you’re sending over the network. You think you're safe because it's encrypted? Spoiler: they can sometimes get around that too.

How to NOT Be a Victim: Securing Yourself

Rule #1: Don’t Access Sensitive Stuff on Public WiFi Yes, that means no online banking or shopping while you’re waiting for your overpriced latte. I know, it’s tempting, but just don’t. I promise, your bank account will thank you.

1- Windows Users: Here’s How to Stay Safe

• Disable Auto-Connect – Stop your laptop from connecting to every public WiFi it finds like it’s on a first-date spree. Go to your network settings and disable auto-connect for public networks.
• Use a Firewall – Yeah, that thing you keep ignoring? Turn it on. It acts like a bouncer for your data, letting in only what’s safe.
• Monitor Traffic – Use tools like Wireshark to watch for anything fishy (pun intended) happening on the network. If you see something weird, like a sudden flood of data, it might be time to disconnect and run.

7 Steps to Protect Yourself on Public Wi-Fi in Cafés and Airports (Windows Edition)

Public Wi-Fi networks in cafés, airports, and similar locations offer convenience but come with significant cybersecurity risks. Cybercriminals frequently target these networks to access sensitive information, such as personal data and login credentials. Due to the unencrypted nature of many public networks, users are often vulnerable to various attacks, including

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2- Linux Users: Stay on Your Toes

• Disable Auto-Connect – Linux users are smart, but even you can fall into the "auto-connect trap." Run nmcli to manage your network connections and stop auto-connecting to public hotspots.
• Firewall – Use ufw (Uncomplicated Firewall). It’s not complicated (despite the name). Keep it active to block unwanted access.
• Encryption is Key – Always use SSH or a VPN to encrypt your traffic. No, this isn’t overkill; it’s survival.

15 Free Open-source Linux Firewall

A firewall is a security tool that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It acts as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the internet. Firewalls are essential for protecting systems from unauthorized access, cyber threats, and

MEDevel.com: Open-source for Healthcare, and EducationHazem Abbas

3- macOS Users: Don’t Think You’re Safe

• Disable Auto-Join – Head to your WiFi settings and uncheck “Auto-Join.” You don’t want your Mac jumping onto every WiFi it finds, like a hyperactive rabbit.
• Turn on Stealth Mode – This stops your Mac from responding to some network requests, making you less visible to hackers. Go to the firewall settings and activate stealth mode (because who doesn’t want to be stealthy?).
• Use a VPN – Seriously, you Apple fans love privacy, right? So why are you still using public WiFi without a VPN? Encrypt that traffic and surf safely.

Enhancing macOS Security with macOS-Fortress

If you have ever been concerned about the security of your MacOS device, you will be pleased to learn about macOS-Fortress. This powerful tool is a combination of firewall, blackhole, and privatizing proxy for trackers, attackers, malware, adware and spammers. It provides kernel-level, OS-level, and client-level security, making your MacOS

MEDevel.com: Open-source for Healthcare, and EducationHazem Abbas

Lynis: Security auditing and hardening tool for Linux, Unix and macOS

Lynis is a powerful security auditing tool designed for systems based on UNIX, such as Linux, macOS, and BSD, among others. It performs a comprehensive and thorough security scan directly on the system itself. The main objective of Lynis is to evaluate the effectiveness of security defenses and provide valuable

MEDevel.com: Open-source for Healthcare, and EducationHazem Abbas

Some Final Thoughts on "Security" in Public WiFi

Remember, “Free” WiFi isn’t really free. It’s an open invitation to hackers to come and grab your data.

They’re not picky—they’ll take it all. And while it’s fun to think that you’re just sipping coffee and minding your own business, someone else might be minding your business too.

Don’t be that person who thinks they’re invincible online. Secure yourself with the basics: disable auto-connect, use firewalls, monitor traffic, and don’t trust any WiFi named “Free Coffee Shop WiFi”.

Spoiler alert: it’s not just free coffee that’s on offer.

For more tips on keeping your data safe, check out our detailed guides on How Hackers Can Steal Your Data Over WiFi and Steps to Protect Yourself on Public WiFi (Windows Edition).

Because no one wants to be the victim of a WiFi horror story.

22 Open-source and Free Network Monitoring Apps for Linux, macOS, Windows and Servers

What is a network monitor app? A network monitor app oversees and controls a computer network’s operations, providing continuous reports on traffic, bandwidth utilization, and network uptime. It can also detect and report device or connection failures. The benefits of using a network traffic monitor include: * Enhanced security: It helps

MEDevel.com: Open-source for Healthcare, and EducationHazem Abbas