Did you know that one in five Internet users have used public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions, such as online banking?1 Using public Wi-Fi at places like airports, cafés, and restaurants gives hackers easy access to sensitive information.
Hackers take advantage of public Wi-Fi networks to conduct cyber attacks like installing malware on your device or gaining access to your personal login information.2 For this reason, users must not log into accounts that contain sensitive information, such as your bank, healthcare, or credit card accounts, while using public Wi-Fi.
Take the following precautions when using public Wi-Fi networks3:
n Check Wi-Fi networks. Hackers may set up “rogue” networks with names similar to the network you wish to access (e.g., the name of the Internet café in which you are sitting).
n Disable auto-connect settings. Don’t allow your device to auto-connect to Wi-Fi networks or Bluetooth® devices. When not in use, turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth access.
n Check the websites you visit. Only visit websites that include “https” in the web address rather than just “http.”
n Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). When possible, connect using a VPN to add a layer of security to your Internet connection.
If you suspect a cyber attack has compromised your Postal Service™ equipment, report it to the Cybersecurity Operations Center at cybersafe@usps.gov.
For more information on cybersecurity best practices, visit the new public-facing CyberSafe at USPS™ website at usps.com/cybersafe or the CyberSafe at USPS pages on Blue (blue.usps.gov/cyber/) and LiteBlue (liteblue.usps.gov/cyber/).
— Corporate Information Security Office,
Chief Information Security Officer
and Digital Solutions, 5-11-17
