Govt issues warning against using public Wi-Fi for financial transactions
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New Delhi: The government has issued a stern warning to citizens, urging them to refrain from using public Wi-Fi networks for financial transactions and other sensitive activities. While free Wi-Fi at locations like airports, coffee shops, and public spaces may seem convenient, it poses significant risks to personal and financial data.
Many public Wi-Fi networks are inadequately secured, making them vulnerable to hackers and cybercriminals. To promote digital safety, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has released a new advisory as part of its ‘Jaagrookta Diwas’ initiative. The advisory strongly advises against engaging in activities such as banking or online shopping over unsecured public Wi-Fi.
CERT-In highlighted that cybercriminals can easily intercept unprotected connections on public networks, putting users at risk of data theft, financial loss, and identity fraud. The agency has urged citizens to avoid entering personal information or conducting transactions on such networks.
As part of its awareness campaign, CERT-In has shared essential safety practices for citizens to follow. These include avoiding links and attachments from unknown sources, using strong and unique passwords for online accounts, and regularly backing up important files to external drives. Such precautions can help protect personal information from potential threats.
Even routine activities like checking emails or logging into social media accounts can be risky on public Wi-Fi without proper precautions. To further enhance safety, CERT-In recommends using a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) and avoiding browser autofill features when entering sensitive information.
CERT-In, the national agency responsible for cybersecurity in India, operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It plays a crucial role in responding to cybersecurity incidents, providing emergency support, and coordinating efforts across sectors to safeguard the country’s digital infrastructure.
With IANS inputs
