8.5 percent of Chinese Wi-Fi hotspots are unsafe networks and possible phishing attempts, according to a new study by RainRaid, an information security organization. The report shows that including many Wi-Fi hotspots in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou airports, train stations, tourist attractions, and commercial centers are phishing attempts.

These Wi-Fi hotspots do not require a password or authentication and are free to use, but will steal personal information and device information from users. Users later find out that they have been victims of online fraud.

RainRaid investigated 68,043 Wi-Fi hotspots in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The company looked at hotspots in airports, train stations, Beijing’s Wangfujing, Tiananmen Square, and Bainaohui Computer Center, Shanghai’s Lujiazui, Guangzhou’s Tianhe Sports Center, and other crowded areas in the three cities. 23,763 hotspots were tested in Beijing, 26,147 in Shanghai, and 18,133 in Guangzhou.

34 percent of Wi-Fi signals tested were hosted by third-party businesses, 23 percent were privately owned, 14 percent were parasite hotspots, 9 percent were public hotspots, and 8.5 percent were phishing attempts. 7.5 percent were home hotspots and 4 percent were temporary hotspots. The higher risk hotspots generally did not require a password or login information.

When using an unsafe Wi-Fi hotspot there is a 93 percent chance your information and device information will be obtained, and an 87 percent chance that users will be inundated with pop-up ads later on. There is a 46 percent chance that your account passwords will be stolen. Some Wi-Fi login pages ask the user to enter their ID number or QQ account number and password. 5 percent of unsafe Wi-Fi hotspots will give your phone a virus.

Network security experts have suggested that users should avoid using public Wi-Fi networks. If you need to use a public network as a last resort, it is best to use a password protected network at a reputable business. When you aren’t using the internet, switch off your data so that your phone does not automatically connect to an unsafe network.

Source: inews.qq.com

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