Free public wi-fi could make it easy for hackers to steal your details: protect yourself

Free wi-fi seems like the ideal way to get anything done on the go, without eating into your data allowance. We're endlessly grateful to the 300,000 free wi-fi points for a chance to pick up emails, update social media and play Pokemon Go - for free. Unfortunately, however, criminals know how much we love free wi-fi, so they are using it as an opportunity to cash in.

It's not difficult for fraudsters to set up a free wi-fi spot, then sit on the same network and monitor everything you do online. They will then wait for you to input things like passwords and payment details, and help themselves to your money.

Some will also use file sharing to install malware. Others will create a pop up during the log in process, which encourages you to update your software. Clicking the pop up then installs the malware.

The Daily Mirror recently carried out an experiment, setting up a wi-fi spot in a cafe. One researcher acted as the victim, merrily booking plane tickets and checking online banking. Another researcher, meanwhile, used hacking techniques to intercept her name, password, credit card details, and her internet banking password.

Protect yourself

This doesn't mean we cannot use public wi-fi, but it does mean we need to be careful, so there are ten steps worth taking.

1. The first is to check the name of the network with a member of staff before you log on.

2. You should steer clear of logging into wi-fi through Facebook - as that makes it easier for hackers to steal personal information.

3. You should avoid downloading any applications while you're out and about, or installing any updates.

4. The Mirror's researchers warned that you should never use public wi-fi for internet banking. If you need to access your account on the go, make sure you are switched into using your own data allowance for it - and make sure nobody is watching what you are doing.

5. If you need to shop while you're out and about and cannot use your own data, then at least use a credit card, which offers more protection if it is compromised.

6. And if you need to access any service with a password, make sure it's not the same password as for vulnerable services - like online banking.

7. KasperskyLab also recommends checking for the https label on websites that require you to enter any personal details. The hackers may try to redirect you away from the security of a site like this, so you can enable the 'always use HTTPS' option on websites you visit regularly.

8. You should also turn off sharing on system preferences, or on the control panel. When you connect to a new unsecured network, Windows will also ask you if it's a public network and if you say it is, it will turn off sharing for you.

9. Turn off your wi-fi connection when you're not using it. The wi-fi hardware keeps working while it's turned on - so by switching it off in public you'll not only be more secure, you'll also prolong your battery life.

10. It's also worth having up to date anti-virus software on your computer, which will automatically scan anything you download, and help protect you from malware.