We often hear about malicious codes, hacking of personal accounts and stealing of banking information. What security experts recommend to help reduce the risk of losing personal information for users of smartphones and tablets?
The security experts recommend users of mobile devices use mobile networks such as 3G / 4G services instead of using public Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi has some connection protocols like intranet. That was the easy access protocol for sharing information. In particular, when connected, devices in the same Wi-Fi network can fully 'see' each other. Therefore, cyber criminals can take advantage of this loophole to install malicious codes into other devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network. They can commit crime of data theft or eavesdropping conversations when others users are completely unaware.
Meanwhile, mobile networks such as 3G and 4G use telecommunications networks, which depend on the network operator, to connect to the Internet. The way mobile devices connect to Access Points (AP) is also different from Wi-Fi networks. Therefore, accessing the Internet using mobile network is less likely to be attacked than using public Wi-Fi.
However, that does not mean the 3G or 4G networks are completely safe. It is because once hackers have attacked a transmitter station or the network operators’ centers, the risk of being infected with malicious codes can still happen. Nevertheless, the probability of occurrence of this risk is still very low than the use of public Wi-Fi networks because network operators have strong and secure defense against hacking.
Instead using public Wi-Fi, mobile users would find 3G/4G service in every country. Especially rental a Wi-Fi pocket , mobile users have much more privacy on Internet.