A common Wi-Fi habit allows fraudsters to spy on you and ‘infect’ your devices – but experts warn the USB port bug is even worse

YOUR Wi-Fi network can be easily hacked due to a common habit that is more dangerous than it seems.

Cybercriminals can infect your devices with ransomware attacks – and it’s easier for them to do so when Wi-Fi users neglect to use virtual private networks (VPNs).

Ransomware is a type of malware that allows cybercriminals to block a victim’s access to a device.

Hackers can also infect your device by using spyware to monitor device activity and share information with third parties.

Thieves use these attacks to demand a ransom from the victim to remove the malware.

However, attacks can be prevented by using several methods to secure your device, including using a VPN.

Connecting to public Wi-Fi networks can be dangerous because cybercriminals can access your device through the public connection.

Using a VPN is the safest way to connect to public Wi-Fi because it protects your IP address and secures your browsing.

Once activated, VPNs change the “address” of your computer, laptop, tablet or mobile phone.

VPNs make it much more difficult for fraudsters to monitor your online activity, protecting your personal data and information.

While using public Wi-Fi is dangerous enough, there is another serious mistake that can put your device at risk.

Experts at Keeper Security warn that you should never plug an unknown USB drive into a computer port.

A random USB device may contain malware, putting your device at risk of being accessed by cybercriminals.

In addition to using a VPN and avoiding stray USB drives, Keeper Security also provides other types to protect your device from hackers.

PROTECT YOUR DEVICE

One simple way to protect your device from hacking is to avoid suspicious links and attachments.

Scammers often send malicious links and attachments in phishing messages or emails to trick victims with a message that appears urgent.

Unknown links or attachments from cyber criminals will immediately start downloading malware on your device as soon as you click on it.

Experts recommend never clicking on links or attachments that you weren’t expecting, or that come from senders you don’t know are safe.

Another way to prevent cyberattacks is to keep your device’s operating system updated.

Software and app updates may include security measures for known issues and vulnerabilities to help protect your device from attacks.

Apart from unknown links and attachments, another rule of thumb is to never download apps from suspicious sites.

Additionally, a cybersecurity expert revealed seven signs that your Wi-Fi network has been hacked by criminals.