AHEAD of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Kaspersky has analyzed nearly 25,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots in the French capital. Their analysis revealed that almost 25% of the networks had weak or no encryption, leaving users vulnerable to theft of personal and banking data.
Only 6% of free Wi-Fi networks in Paris use the latest WPA3 security protocol.
The upcoming Paris Olympics, the first in-person summer Games since pandemic restrictions were lifted, are expected to draw thousands of tourists. Amid the event, Kaspersky’s GReAT (Global Research and Analysis Team) researchers have mapped and assessed the security of open Wi-Fi networks that visitors are likely to encounter.
Researchers analyzed 47,891 signal recordings at popular locations and Olympic venues in Paris, identifying 24,766 unique Wi-Fi access points.
They found that a quarter (25%) of these networks had serious security weaknesses, such as weak or no encryption, making them vulnerable to interception, decryption, or hacking attacks.
Additionally, nearly one in five (20%) were configured with WPS, an outdated and easily compromised algorithm, making them highly vulnerable to WPS attacks that could potentially result in data loss. Only 6% of the networks analyzed used the latest WPA3 security protocol.
Also read: Indonesian weightlifters keep fit before the Olympics
“Like athletes training for the French summer sports season, cybercriminals have prepared an unpleasant welcome for the millions of people heading to hotels, fan zones and events in Paris. They may install fake access points or compromise legitimate networks to intercept and manipulate data transfer processes. Open and misconfigured Wi-Fi networks are particularly attractive to cybercriminals, as they allow the theft of passwords, credit card details and other sensitive user data,” said Amin Hasbini, Head of the META research unit at Kaspersky’s GReAT (Global Research and Analysis Team).
Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), provides an extra layer of security for those accessing open Wi-Fi networks.
VPNs are able to encrypt your internet connection, creating a secure tunnel between your device and the internet. This encryption prevents cybercriminals from intercepting your data, even on unsecured networks.
Also read: Today’s Google Doodle Celebrates the Opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics
By masking your IP address and encrypting all transmitted data, a VPN ensures that personal and financial information remains protected when using public Wi-Fi.
To stay safe when using public Wi-Fi, Kaspersky experts also recommend the following tips:
Avoid sensitive transactions
Don’t access banking or other sensitive accounts while using public Wi-Fi.
Also read: Fajar/Rian Prepare Mentally to Face the First Match of the 2024 Paris Olympics
Network verification
Make sure the network is legitimate by confirming with the company offering it.
Enable firewall
Make sure your device’s firewall is active to block unauthorized access.
Use a strong password
Always use strong and unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication for extra security.
Keep the software updated
Update your operating system, applications, and antivirus software regularly to protect against the latest threats.
Disable file sharing
Turn off file sharing and AirDrop on your device to prevent unauthorized access. (Z-1)
#Percent #Free #WiFi #Services #Paris #Unsafe
