Warning for anyone connecting to public Wi-Fi networks

Andrew Witts , a tech expert, says scanning unverified QR codes or connecting to public Wi Fi puts people a trisk.

A public Wi Fi warning has been issued for UK mobile phone users – who are being urged not to connect to networks they don’t know. Andrew Witts , a tech expert, says scanning unverified QR codes or connecting to public Wi Fi puts people a trisk.

“Most people don’t give a second thought to a QR code these days, because we’ve all become so used to tapping our phones against them,” Andrew says. “Scammers absolutely rely on that.

“They create a convincing code, stick it over the real one and suddenly they’ve redirected you to a phishing page that looks completely legitimate.” He says: “You can lose money in less than a minute.

READ MORE Warning over new UK diesel driving rules only 1,000 motorists are adhering to

“People think a quick scan is harmless, but if the link is fake, you’ve essentially handed your details straight to the criminal.”

“It sounds counterintuitive, but criminals play mind games. A slightly wonky or low resolution sticker might seem too amateur to be dangerous, which is exactly why people scan it,” he added.

Andrew says: “If it looks like it has been tampered with or stuck over something else, avoid it. Ask the stallholder for the correct link or pay another way. A reputable vendor won’t mind.”

“When you join a fake Wi-Fi network, everything you do online can be monitored by the person who created it,” Andrew warned. “Your messages, your login details, your bank information, it’s all visible.

“They don’t need to be sophisticated hackers. They just need you to click the wrong one.”

He added: “People connect without thinking because they’re trying to get something done quickly. “But that convenience can turn into a very expensive mistake.”

“If you’re on an unsecured network, you might as well be handing out your passwords on pieces of paper,” he said.

He added: “Don’t take the name at face value. Ask someone who works there. If the vendor or organiser can’t confirm it, do not connect.”

He commented: “A good VPN encrypts your data so even if someone is snooping, they can’t read anything. It turns your phone into a locked box rather than an open window.”