Public Networks: A Threat or Shield to Personal Data

The increase in development of technologies made networking an integral part of everyone’s life. From initial wired technology to the change in wireless technology today, everything has become so convenient that it is difficult to live in this society without access to such benefits. Public network is one of them. Along with convenience, such network also has potential security and privacy risks. However, most users keep neglecting the privacy threats being unaware of the preventive measures to shield their data. The aim of this research paper is to analyze whether the public networks are only a threat to personal data or if it can be shield to protect user’s personal and sensitive data from getting revealed. The public networks have its own set of pros and cons which on one hand, supports the networks as most preferred connection because of its easy accessibility, availability, cost-efficiency etc. while on the other hand, proves to be a paradise of hackers, home to viruses and malwares etc. After collection of all the information, related articles, etc., it is brought to notice that there are several kinds of threats and malwares attached to this type of network which is unthinkable for the general public. Although there are various preventive measures as well to protect the personal data but it is unaware to the general public. The research paper gives details on the working of public networks, advantages and limitations of these networks, various malicious attacks, articles on major security risk at public places on free Wi-Fi, cyber-crime risk on free Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as well as free Wi-Fi being the most potent tools for cyber crooks, along with the preventive measures to shield personal data from any such above mentioned threats.