Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC ) has installed free wifi at public places which many of you might see it as a free service that one is getting. But from a cyber security perspective giving free wifi at public places without registration is the most insecure step towards making a system vulnerable from attacks and threats. to be very precise, it makes the people connected more vulnerable and more prone to cyber attacks and other cyber crimes.
When you use a open and free network there is always a risk being attacked as there are no measure to secure your line. You never know who all are connected within the network and what kinds of software they have so being open in the open network is completely out of logic.
The best way to secure yourself when you are using a public wifi or open network is use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that safeguards your details.
VPN extends a private network across a public network, and enables users to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if their computing devices were directly connected to the private network. Applications running across the VPN may therefore benefit from the functionality, security, and management of the private network.
I think before giving free wifi the KMC should considered the risk of cyber security and further work towards raising awareness of cyber security within their departments and then to the public.
It may look or sound as a simple step but it can have drastic results