The first thing that many people do at an airport, a train or a restaurant is to connect to a free Wi-Fi network. But many people do not know that this implies a great risk. Pirates can easily intercept your data, and this can have disastrous consequences, especially for cryptocurrency investors.
Loss of cryptocurrencies through public wifi: it can really happen
A quick free internet connection? Today you can do it almost everywhere. But you can tackle many problems. Indeed, public Wi-Fi networks are generally not safe. This allows cybercriminals to spy on their activity more easily or to spread malware.
Pirates can attack you as follows:
- Intermediate attack: IT pirates can easily pass between you and the network and intercept your data.
- Package sniff: hackers can use tools to read the data you send via the network.
- Propagation of malware: hackers can install viruses on your device via public Wi-Fi networks to steal data or cause damage.
- False access points: the pirates install false Wi-Fi networks which seem real but are designed to steal your data.
- Session removal: hackers can steal a session witness, which gives you access to your accounts as if they were you.
- Look over your shoulder: hackers can look over your shoulder to see your private data.
Especially for cryptocurrency, it can be a very expensive joke. And if malicious people discover the access data to your exchange or to the private keys to your own bag, you will lose your investments with pen.
This happened, for example, the former managing director of a cryptocurrency project last year after being connected to the Wi -Fi network of a “best friend”. This friend, supposedly worthy of confidence, used the connection to access the cryptocarra and stole the whole balance. This embarrassing incident shows how risky networks can be and that no one can trust it.