Homepage Invigorate PR newsroom

Did you use free wifi over xmas? Chances are your device has been hacked

Announcement posted by Invigorate PR 29 Jan 2025

As Australians return from the festive season, many are unaware that their computers and devices may have been compromised while using free Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, shopping centres and other public locations.
 

According to Vidit Sehgal, founder and CEO of V4 IT, Australia's fastest growing onsite IT services provider, these seemingly convenient networks are often hunting grounds for hackers.
 

"Free Wi-Fi networks generally lack robust security measures," Sehgal explained.
 

"Hackers take advantage of these vulnerabilities to infiltrate devices connected to these networks. Once they gain access to your computer or smartphone, they can use it as a gateway to compromise other electronic devices in your home or any network your computer or phone connects to.
 

"For people who use their devices at home and at work the impact can be disastrous."
 

What hackers can access on your devices


Once hackers gain access to your computer, table or phone, they can do a lot of damage.
 

Steal sensitive information


"Hackers can access personal information such as passwords, banking details and other information which can lead to identity theft," Sehgal said.
 

"Unfortunately by the time you find out your identity details have been stolen, it is very difficult to undo the damage. You can limit it, but some hackers manage to secure credit, take out loans, purchase vehicles, buy holidays and do all sorts of things without you even knowing about it until someone comes knocking at your door with a court order to settle an outstanding debt."
 

Monitor online activity


"Cybercriminals can track your browsing history and intercept sensitive communications, including emails and messages," Sehgal said.
 

"This is particularly dangerous. We have all heard stories about people who have received an email from their solicitor asking them to deposit funds into their trust account and they have done this to only find out later that the account information they used was not correct because hackers had intercepted the email and changed the account details."

 

Install malware


"Hackers can plant malicious software to further infiltrate your system, monitor activities, or lock your files for ransom," Sehgal said.
 

"Cyber blackmail is an increasing problem globally."
 

Access stored data


"Files, photos and confidential documents stored on your computer can be copied or deleted. This is an extremely common issue," Sehgal said.
 

Control your device


"Hackers can gain remote control of your computer, using it to send spam emails, launch attacks on other networks or mine cryptocurrency. Having this said, hackers can also do these things without gaining remote control. This can be achieved without connecting remotely which is even more concerning,' Sehgal said.
 

"They can also access your computer camera and watch and record you without your awareness."


Malware and spyware


"Increasingly we are seeing hackers using more of keylogger malwares and spywares rather than gaining remote access to computers to cause damage. The reason is that hundreds of users fall prey to these attacks in a day. So remote access becomes impossible to work on 100s of users at once. These attacks are not targeted at a particular person but on anyone and everyone," Sehgal said.
 

Sehgal explained that public Wi-Fi networks are popular due to their convenience, but they often do not have strong security protocols in place. When users connect to these networks, they expose their devices to potential attacks. Hackers can intercept data transmitted over the network, plant malware or even gain remote access to connected devices.
 

"When one device is hacked, it can serve as an entry point for cybercriminals to infiltrate other devices within the same network. Smart TVs, IoT devices, security cameras and other connected electronics in your home or at work could all be at risk," Sehgal said.
 

How to protect yourself


Sehgal offers the following tips to safeguard your devices and home network.

  1. Avoid free Wi-Fi networks: Use mobile data or a personal hotspot whenever possible, especially when accessing sensitive information.
  2. Enable a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your internet connection, adding a layer of security.
  3. Keep devices updated: Regularly update your software and firmware to patch vulnerabilities.
  4. Use strong passwords: Ensure all devices on your home network have unique, strong passwords.
  5. Monitor unusual activity: Look out for unusual behaviour on your devices, such as slower performance or unexplained data usage.
  6. Seek professional help: Get your devices checked to remove any unwanted malware and compromised access.

 

About V4 IT


V4 IT, headquartered in Melbourne, is a leading provider of home and business IT support services in Australia. Since its inception in May 2022, V4 IT has rapidly expanded its footprint, now covering over 1,500 postcodes across the country. The company's mission is to become Australia's most trusted home IT service provider by delivering reliable and efficient online and onsite support to a growing customer base.


V4 IT specialises in:

  • Home and business IT support: Comprehensive solutions tailored to meet individual and small business needs.
  • Online and onsite support services: Flexible service delivery, ensuring convenience and efficiency.
  • Nationwide coverage: Over 100 expert technicians providing assistance across more than 1,500 postcodes.


www.v4it.com.au