With world-class beaches, boutiques, and restaurants, Palm Beach is a fantastic place to visit. It’s no surprise the region attracts millions of visitors to its shores every year.

While people often visit Florida to unwind and disconnect from life, we live in an online world. At some point, you’ll want to reach for your phone and check your emails, catch up on the news, or stay in touch with loved ones back home.

For visitors, connecting to a public Wi-Fi network might seem convenient. But would you be so willing to use these networks if you knew the enormous risks involved?

The truth is that public Wi-Fi networks pose a threat to your cybersecurity. And each time you use them, you can allow outside parties to track and record information. All without your knowledge or consent.

However, there are ways of connecting safely to the internet while enjoying yourself at Palm Beach. Below, you learn simple, practical ways of protecting your information when connecting online. This can help ensure your trip is a cybersafe one. 

The risks of using public Wi-Fi networks

Public Wi-Fi networks seem like your best friend, allowing you to connect and log off in seconds. But sadly, these ‘free’ services can come at an enormous, hidden cost to your cybersecurity.

The truth is public Wi-Fi networks are a hotbed for suspicious activity. They often lack security measures or protections to safeguard your information. As such, cybercriminals can exploit them and track you while you’re connected.

Let’s look at the research to give you an idea of the dangers. Surveys have examined public Wi-Fi use and instances of cybercrime. They found that 40% of public Wi-Fi users had information compromised. The most common places where breaches occurred were cafés (25%), followed by airports (23%) and hotels (20%).

This becomes a genuine concern for visitors to Palm Beach when you realize over 96 free hotspots are all vying for you to connect. All spread across cafes, restaurants, and shops.

Five ways on how to safely use public Wi-Fi in Palm Beach

So, what can you do to protect yourself and enjoy internet connectivity? How can you have peace of mind when online? Below are ways you can bolster your cybersecurity while visiting Palm Beach:

  • Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN is one of the best defenses against rogue Wi-Fi networks. It encrypts your internet connection and scrambles all data sent and received. This makes it impossible for outside parties to track your activity.

A VPN is easy to configure and works seamlessly in the background. Think of it as a barrier between you and potential criminals. With it, you can visit websites, check messages, or send files with total peace of mind. You can enter sensitive information with the certainty no one can decode it.

It’s also worth noting that many premium VPN services have a host of features that provide robust cybersecurity. Built-in anti-malware features, for example, can protect you from malicious code attacks. Anti-phishing features can protect you from visiting fraudulent websites designed to steal information. As such, VPNs are versatile security tools that, when invested in, can minimize the risk of any cyberattack.

  • Use websites with SSL certificates

Another simple but effective way of protecting yourself online is using secure websites. Secure websites are those that use SSL (Secure Socket Layers) certificates. This cert tells a user that the website encrypts and secures any data it receives.

So, how do you know if a website uses SSL? Well, there are two easy ways to learn. The first is a padlock symbol just beside the address bar. The second is by examining the website address itself. Websites with SSL will start with “HTTPS” at the start.

If you visit a website without a padlock or its URL starts HTTP, the information you enter could be compromised. And it would be unwise to enter sensitive information into it.

  • Use eSIMs to connect to the internet through cellular data

Public Wi-Fi can be a popular option for tourists visiting Florida who want to avoid expensive roaming charges. They might feel they have no choice, as their phone might not be able to connect to cellular data.

Thankfully, there is a new solution to this. eSIMs have become an exciting way for tourists traveling to Palm Beach to connect to the internet. These are digital SIM cards that allow a person to change network providers within an app. Buying new SIM cards or locking yourself into expensive, long-term contracts is no longer necessary.

Instead, an eSIM card allows you to enjoy the best local networks at cheap, local rates. All you need to do is take out a prepaid eSIM USA package to enjoy seamless connectivity nationwide. 

Tailor the plan to your length of trips and data needs – and you’re good to go! With the help of eSIMs, tourists can connect to the internet through their own cellular data plan. They will no longer need to consider risky Wi-Fi networks for their internet needs.

  • Turn off auto-connect features on devices

Public Wi-Fi networks can pose a threat without you even realizing it. Many devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops, try to connect to hotspots automatically.

Because networks aren’t password protected, devices will have no issues connecting without approval. The danger is that devices could share private information across these networks in real-time without you ever noticing.

To protect yourself, you should disable auto-connection features on all your devices. This ensures you retain total control over what hotspots you use, on what devices, and when.

  • Activate multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Finally, activating MFA can be another great way to protect accounts from Wi-Fi cyberattacks. This is when a service requires you to verify your identity by another means before granting access.

MFA usually requires someone to enter a single-use code sent via text or approve a push alert on your phone. Through this, even if a hacker manages to steal your passwords, they cannot verify their identity. This freezes them from the account and gives you time to change passwords.

Conclusion

Palm Beach is easily one of Florida’s most beautiful places to visit. It promises a truly unique and tranquil experience. But visitors need to be vigilant. 

Behind the sandy beaches, the beautiful food, and the weather are cybersecurity dangers. And sadly, public Wi-Fi hotspots are becoming an enormous liability in the area. 

By adopting cybersecurity tools, you can enjoy peace of mind when using the internet. VPNs, for example, can encrypt data and bolster defenses. eSIMs can allow you to use your own devices to connect online at local rates. With their help, visitors can enjoy Palm Beach without worrying about online safety.