How Can You Recognize An Unsecured Wireless Network?

How can you recognize an unsecured wireless network? If you often get exposed to the internet, there could be at least one moment that you were connected to open wifi.

This type of connection may seem conducive to many users, however, there are some risks to consider if you connect to a particular wireless network as an unsecured network exposes users to data vulnerability.

So, if there is someone nearby and intends to do unpleasant acts online using that open network, the means of stopping this person from actualizing his action shall be very limited.

Unsecured wireless is often associated with an open Wi-Fi network. These are the common network connections that you can find in marketing stores and coffee shops. WiFi network is unsecured if there will be no screening procedure or logins required to access the web.

Why Should You Learn to Identify an Unsecured Wireless Connection?

You can enable unsecured WiFi by locating the Security drop-down menu and tapping Save Settings.

You can also connect again to a certain SSID without manual intervention by clicking the Connect automatically option.

You may want to consider using a VPN as it is one of the most secure alternatives when surfing. Unsecure networks provide access to the web, but they aren’t always reliable.

Unsecured wireless networks are not recommended. Here are some of the reasons why you should not connect to unsecured wireless:

• Wi-Fi Honeypots
• Susceptibility of Information
• Spread of Malware
• Eavesdropping

Tips:  If you cannot prevent yourself from connecting to a public WiFi connection, you should make sure you are thoroughly protected from accessing them.

Do not access your personal information such as your bank accounts when connecting to open wireless, too.

Common Methods to Recognize an Unsecured Wireless Network

How do I secure an unsecured WiFi network? With many technologies coming out, it becomes imperative that you learn to recognize unsecured wireless and discover the router’s IP address that provides the unsecured connection.

Why? Perhaps the most substantial risk to unsecured networks is the capacity of the unlawful people to layout themselves between the connection point and the user.

Hence, rather than directly communicating with the hotspot, users will be sending their sensitive information to the bad guys who use the same network.

Several traits determine an open network:

#1 It Does Not Utilize Security Encryption

You will know an unsecured wifi network when it does not utilize security encryption.

WiFi channels that are encrypted protect the data from being intercepted since no one can penetrate any of the computers connected or even the network itself.

An unsecured wifi network is easily differentiated from a secured network since the latter uses security encryption.

#2 It is Often Called as Open WiFi

An unsecured wifi network is often called an open WiFi network and it is often accessed in marketing stores and cafes.

Unsecured wireless is mainly determined through the absence of a password when connecting to it.

It requires no particular screening procedure or login to access the web, which means that anyone in the vicinity can use it.

This is the reason why unsecured wifi is known to be a public network. This also makes the network vulnerable to threats.

You can earn points for the unsecured wifi network at other public places like airports, convenience stores, libraries, and more.

 #3 It may Require Users to Key-in certain Information

There are some instances that although an unsecured wifi network does not require a password, it will ask users to key in their information in exchange for free Wi-Fi networks.

There is a potential risk when connecting to an unsecured wifi network.

Keying in your information, including your password, can be very critical as it can be stolen by a third party.

As your sensitive information passes from your computer going to the unsecured wireless, it will be very easy for others with bad intentions to intercept it. Basic technical skills are enough to do it.

#4 Greyed Out Lock

You will know an unsecured network simply by checking the wifi icon name from the available list.

Unlike the secured wireless networks where a lock symbol is found next to their names, the unsecured wireless will have this lock greyed out – this should serve as your warning symbol. Furthermore, secured ones require a password.

Yes, it is tempting to connect on an unsecured wireless network icon. However, it can put your work in jeopardy. You can be giving third-party access to get into your private files. This may even compromise your company.

#5 It is Often Used for Illegal Usage

Compared to a secured wireless network, unsecured wireless is taken advantage of by some for bad intentions. It becomes a way for unlawful usage.

Unlawful downloads and file transfers, scatter viruses, and other prohibited materials are considered to be serious offenses.

#6 It often Lags

Another way of recognizing an unsecured wireless network is when you experience lagging throughout your browsing experience.

This is because other users who are also connected to the network could be doing tasks that eat a part of the existing bandwidth.

Relying on the current number of people who are using the network rightfully and the people who abuse the network, your surfing experience with an unsecured wifi network may not be that fast.

Do You Still Find it Hard to Recognize an Unsecured Wireless Network?

Are you still finding it hard to recognize open wireless? Although it is very rare for anyone not to identify unsecured wireless, you can try other means to identify it.

Other than the common traits of an unsecured wifi network that are discussed above, you will know an unsecured network when connecting to it will not require you to agree on certain legal terms or create an account.

Read Next: Can a WiFi Router Get Virus?

Conclusion

How can you recognize an unsecured wireless network? How can you recognize an unsecured wireless network?

The internet can be a place of many things, including those that could post threats to the users.

However, accessing the web can be less threatening if you learn to do the basic security practices. A secure network is always recommended since it is protected with network encryption.