Cyber With Debra!

Public Wi-Fi can feel like a gift when you are out and about. Easy, free, and convenient. But not every “free Wi-Fi” is your friend. Some are impostors designed to trick you into connecting so they can intercept your data.

In our latest comic, Michelle spots two Wi-Fi names at her favorite coffee shop: CoffeeCornerWiFi and CoffeeCorner_WiFi. They look almost identical, but John notices the real network name posted on the wall without the underscore.

When they tell Debra what happened, she explains that fake networks often copy legitimate names to fool people. A quick double-check before connecting can save you from more than just slow internet. It can keep your personal information from falling into the wrong hands. The group agrees that it is secure Wi-Fi only from now on.

What this means for network security

Network security is about protecting the paths your information takes, whether it is traveling inside your home network, across your workplace systems, or through public hotspots. It is a combination of tools, processes, and awareness working together to spot and block suspicious activity before it causes harm.

For fake Wi-Fi traps, security tools can sometimes detect and block impostor networks automatically. However, awareness is still your strongest everyday defense. Knowing what to look for, like small differences in network names or unexpected prompts for passwords, can stop a threat before it has a chance to connect with you.

Everyday takeaway

Your devices and security tools can do a lot, but they work best when you are part of the process. Stay alert, read network names carefully, and take an extra second to verify before you connect. Awareness is your first defense, and in the case of public Wi-Fi, it can be the difference between browsing safely and becoming a target.

Thank you for being here and following along. If you have not subscribed yet, I hope you will. Share your thoughts in the comments and let me know if you have ever spotted a suspicious Wi-Fi name. Stay safe and stay connected to the right network! 😃