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You no longer have to be tied to a cord to surf the web. Thanks to wireless networks. No matter where you are, connect to the nearby WiFi and access the Internet. However, wireless networks, such as WiFi, come with significant risks, such as WiFi snooping or eavesdropping.
Anyone can intercept the network and eavesdrop on it. And, public WiFi is notorious for this reason. Everyone has their desperate times. Even if you do connect to an open network, it’s best to look out for common signs of WiFi snooping. That said, this guide briefly walks you through what WiFi snooping is, common examples of it, and how to prevent it.
Note: Someone might be snooping via your WiFi network before you know it. We recommend connecting to FastestVPN when using public WiFi. Or, manually configure your router with the VPN to ensure elevated security of all your devices connected to the network.
WiFi snooping, also known as eavesdropping or WiFi sniffing, is when hackers intercept and monitor data transmission over a WiFi network. Unlike a wired connection, WiFi networks carry data packets via radio signals rather than a cord/cable.
The Network Interface Card (NIC) awaits intended wired or wireless traffic. It receives bits of all wireless traffic to check if it’s the correct address and decides whether to accept it or not. If it’s the wrong address, it discards the data packets intended for other users.
A WiFi snooper can reconfigure the NIC to capture all incoming network traffic, not just the correct intended traffic. It later uses a network analysis tool to capture all traffic and find the intended one. Once done, the snooper successfully gets to eavesdrop on your WiFi network. Meaning, it can monitor all your network activities without authorization.
According to Forbes, around 35% of people use public Wi-Fi three to four times per month. This is why 4 in 10 people fall victim to WiFi snooping and data theft when using a public WiFi.
There are various examples of WiFi eavesdropping. Here are the 3 common WiFi snooping examples:
A hacker might set up a fake WiFi hotspot labelled with the coffee shop’s name. It expects the users to connect to the network, instead of the actual WiFi network. After connecting to the fake network, the hacker can monitor all unencrypted traffic. Meanwhile, visiting HTTP (not HTTPS) sites makes data theft easier.
Hackers also target home WiFi networks using WEP or WPA2 passwords. Various tools can be used to capture data packets. And within seconds, the hackers can crack the encryption. This is why it’s best to connect to a VPN when browsing the web or manually configure your WiFi router to avoid packet sniffing.
Take the example of coworking spaces. Everyone’s mostly connected to a shared WiFi network; so is the hacker. The WiFi snooper will use ARP spoofing to trick devices into routing through their machine. Even WiFi networks with WPA2 can get spoofed.
WiFi snooping enables hackers to sneak in and monitor your browsing activities. And, if you’re filling out forms online or entering your financial details on any site, hackers can see it all. That’s not it. Here are the 5 consequences of WiFi snooping:
Hackers can monitor all your browsing activities. Meanwhile, your usernames, passwords, and session cookies can potentially be stolen from unencrypted logins. Encrypted chats, such as SMS and old email protocols, can be read as well.
Hackers can hijack your social media accounts via stolen cookies or passwords. Moreover, they can access your emails, which can lead to password resets for other accounts. These stolen details can be used for scams.
Attackers on the same public network can exploit weaker security and infect the device with malware or a virus. Meanwhile, hackers can steal your sensitive data, including your financial information.
Hackers on the same WiFi network often disrupt the internet connection. For instance, the attackers might send de-authentication packets to devices to disconnect them from the network.
It all comes back to your sensitive information. Snoopers can monitor your browsing activities and use them to blackmail you. Moreover, if a hacked WiFi network is used for piracy or other malicious activities, the owner will be legally liable for it.
Here’s how to find out if someone is accessing your WiFi network:
From data theft to network disruptions, WiFi snooping poses significant threats to your data. But, there are ways to mitigate this threat. Here’s a list of ways to prevent WiFi eavesdropping:
VPNs feature different servers. Connecting to a new server changes your current IP address to a new virtual IP. This conceals all your browsing activities and reroutes the network traffic through an encrypted tunnel. For example, connecting to FastestVPN offers AES 256-bit encryption.
This ensures data protection with military standards. Meaning, the snoopers can never decipher the encrypted data. This is why we highly recommend connecting to a VPN when using a public WiFi for improved security.
It’s best to avoid connecting to public WiFi, unless it’s necessary. If you plan to do so, ensure that you verify the exact network name with the staff. Once connected, avoid accessing banking apps, emails, or accounts that hold sensitive information without a VPN.
Secure your home WiFi network by setting up an improved encryption standard. For example, enable WPA3 encryption or at least WPA2 with a strong password. Meanwhile, configure your WiFi router with a VPN. Moreover, disable WPS and change the default router admin password to prevent router hacking. You can also hide your SSID to make your network less visible.
The developers roll out software updates with security patches and bug fixes. And, updating your router’s firmware will help prevent WiFi snooping and other threats due to the latest fixes.
As mentioned in the tutorial for checking if someone’s using your WiFi, see if any unauthorized user is accessing your WiFi network. If there are any, remove them and change your WiFi router’s password. We recommend using ARP monitoring tools to detect any spoofing attacks. Meanwhile, enabling firewall protection will help avoid eavesdropping attempts.
Network snooping is when a hacker secretly monitors your activities and steals your sensitive information through the network. For example, hackers can steal your passwords, emails, or credit card details. Snooping often uses tools like packet sniffers and requires unsecured or vulnerable networks.
You can find a Wi-Fi password via the router label on the back of the router. Head to the router’s admin panel online > saved networks. If you’re doing so via Windows, then use the Command Prompt. If it’s a macOS, check Keychain Access. Ask the network owner if it's a shared connection.
Eavesdropping in cyber security is when an unauthorized person, i.e., a hacker, tries to monitor your network activities and attempts to steal sensitive data. These include your emails, financial details, and passwords.
The primary security risks of using a public WiFi network are:
Whether you’re sipping your coffee in a nearby cafe, or working on your thesis at a public library, the snoopers never leave your back. Blame the public WiFi/open network. Wireless connections make it easier for hackers to intercept the network and monitor your browsing activities.
This is why we highly recommend connecting to a VPN, like FastestVPN when using public WiFi. VPNs encrypt your network traffic and let you anonymously browse the web. And FastestVPN offers an AES 256-bit encryption, which makes it almost impossible for hackers to break in and steal your data.
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