How do hackers use public Wi-Fi hotspots to intercept data and how to protect yourself from them?

The use of unsecured public Wi-Fi points at airports, train stations and other public places poses a number of threats, as hackers often use these points to intercept personal information and passwords.

To do this they can use various methods such as:

• Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks: In this type of attack, the hacker positions themselves between the user and the Wi-Fi network, intercepting data as it passes between them. The hacker can then eavesdrop on the communication or even alter the data being transmitted.
• Packet Sniffing: Hackers can use packet sniffing tools to capture data packets transmitted over the Wi-Fi network. These tools allow them to analyze the data for sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, or financial details.
• Evil Twin Attacks: In an evil twin attack, the hacker sets up a rogue Wi-Fi hotspot with a name similar to a legitimate hotspot. Unsuspecting users may connect to the rogue hotspot, allowing the hacker to intercept their data.
• Session Hijacking: Hackers can hijack active sessions between users and websites by stealing session cookies or other authentication tokens. This allows them to impersonate the user and gain unauthorized access to their accounts.

To protect against these threats, it is recommended that you avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks when performing sensitive activities such as online banking or accessing personal accounts.

If using public Wi-Fi is necessary, it is recommended that you use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic and keep your data safe.

Additionally, keeping devices and software up to date can also help reduce the risk of data leakage.