Close-up of Businessman Connecting To WiFi With Mobile Phone

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Quiz: Are You Savvy About Wi-Fi Security?

Know the risks when using public wireless networks

AARP

En español

Published August 17, 2020

7 Questions

4826813b-f28b-4e71-a5ae-ba656a3b706b

Through the years, the dangers of free coffee shop Wi-Fi have been well publicized, but so have the increasing costs of smartphone data plans. Sometimes you may need to get online with your laptop, phone or tablet when you’re out of the house. To ace the test below, check out this story.

Quiz: Are You Savvy About Wi-Fi Security?

[ {
  "question" : "As long as I have to sign in to public Wi-Fi with a unique password, I am protected against hackers.",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "True",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "False",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Even if the connection requires a password, it is not safe to use public Wi-Fi for online banking, shopping and personal email. Why? Though a password can help limit access to a network, it can't protect you from hackers on the same network who are looking to attack your computer with malware, view your online activity or gain access to any unsecured accounts.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "Beware the risks of using public wireless networks.",
  "questionImgCredit" : "Istock"
}, {
  "question" : "It is OK to use the same password on more than one website as long as it contains a complex mix of letters, numbers and symbols.",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "True",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "False",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Hackers do have a tougher time cracking long passwords with a mix of letters, numbers and special characters. But if your password gets stolen, and you have used it for multiple accounts, someone could access those other accounts before you realize what is happening. Never use the same password for all of your accounts or online access points.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "It is possible for a hacker to intercept traffic between a user's device and a public Wi-Fi network without the user's knowledge.",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "True",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "False",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "New hacking tools — available for free online — make this easy, even for users with limited technical know-how. Your personal information, private documents, contacts, family photos, and even your usernames and passwords for various websites could be up for grabs.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "It is safe to access websites with sensitive information, such as banking or credit card companies, while using a public Wi-Fi network as long as the website has “https” at the front of its address and you can see a closed padlock icon.",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "True",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "False",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Although a website URL that starts with “https” is preferred, a hacker still may be able to intercept data sent to such a site over public Wi-Fi unless you go through a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN encrypts information between your computer and the internet. You can get personal VPN software from the app store for your device. If you need to get your laptop online and don’t have VPN software, use your smartphone as a personal hot spot. Yes, that choice will eat into your data plan, but it’s a small price to pay to prevent identity theft.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Using mobile apps over public Wi-Fi is safe because the software on your phone provides an extra layer of security.",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "True",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "False",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "When you’re using a mobile app, you can’t see a web address, so you don’t know for certain whether it begins with an https or has a closed padlock icon. If you must check on something, switch to your mobile web browser so you can confirm that you’re on a secure website.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "When you are using public Wi-Fi networks, don’t say OK to file sharing.",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "True",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "False",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "If you allow file sharing, once you connect to a Wi-Fi network, anyone else in the same network could access your folders and files. In other words, an attacker would have complete run of your computer and be able to steal files and data and plant malware. Check your computer settings to make sure you turn off file sharing, particularly when you are on the road.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Even if you are not using the internet, you should disable your wireless connection if you’re in a location with a public Wi-Fi network.",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "True",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "False",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "To guarantee your security when you’re not actively using the internet, simply turn off your Wi-Fi. It’s the electronic equivalent of making sure no one is looking over your shoulder. On a laptop, you can shut off your Wi-Fi by clicking on the small Wi-Fi symbol — generally a dot with three curved lines of increasing length above it at the top or bottom of your computer screen along with several other tiny icons — and choosing Turn Wi-Fi Off or a similar phrase. The longer you stay connected, the longer a hacker has to notice you’re there and snoop around.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
} ]

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