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The temptations and risks of free Wi-Fi

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The temptations and risks of free Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is everywhere and incredibly convenient, but is it safe to use? Keep reading to explore the risks of using public Wi-Fi and how a VPN can help protect your privacy while browsing on the go.

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Illustration of Wi-Fi icon (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Risks of using public Wi-Fi

Hackers sometimes try to trick you into connecting to a network labeled “FREE Wi-Fi.” Here’s what you need to know about the potential dangers of public Wi-Fi.

Unencrypted networks

Many public Wi-Fi networks are unencrypted, meaning the data transmitted over them is not secured. This makes it easy for cybercriminals with the right tools to intercept your online activities, including sensitive information like login details, banking data and personal messages.

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Malware threats 

Connecting to public Wi-Fi can expose you to malware attacks. Malicious actors on the same network can take advantage of security flaws on your device to install harmful software. Some examples are spyware that steals your personal information or ransomware that locks your system or turns your device into a bot for a distributed denial-of-service attack.

Man-in-the-middle attacks

A man-in-the-middle attack occurs when an attacker secretly intercepts communication between two parties, like a user and an app. This allows them to listen in on or alter conversations. On unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, attackers can more easily capture data packets. This potentially gives them access to sensitive information like login credentials, credit card details or private messages. In some cases, they may even modify the data, leading to fraud or data breaches.

JUICE JACKING: FBI ISSUES ALERT ABOUT HIDDEN DANGERS AT PHONE CHARGING STATIONS 

Signs of an unsafe network

Hackers often take advantage of public Wi-Fi, but some may go a step further and create fake hot spots under their control. To help you steer clear of these traps, here are some common signs of a rogue Wi-Fi network.

  • The network name resembles a trusted one: Hackers sometimes set up fraudulent networks that mimic legitimate ones. For example, you might see duplicate network names or be connected to a “home network” when you’re far from home.
  • “HTTPS” sites appear as “HTTP”: If you’re trying to access a secure website and notice it’s loading as an “HTTP” site instead of “HTTPS,” you may be connected to a fake Wi-Fi hot spot.
  • The name is generic: Rogue networks often appear in busy areas with vague names like “Free Wi-Fi” to attract unsuspecting users. Legitimate public networks, like those in cafés, usually have more specific names tied to the business.
  • Unusual behavior: If you experience strange pop-ups, ads, frequent Wi-Fi disconnections or slow speeds, the network you’re connected to could be compromised. To minimize the risk, disconnect immediately and run a malware scan.

Now that you’re aware of the risks and how to recognize an unsafe Wi-Fi network, you can browse more securely.

Illustration of a hacker (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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MISTAKES TO AVOID IF YOU JUST HAVE TO USE PUBLIC WI-FI

Where to find legitimate free Wi-Fi

If you’re looking for reliable spots to access free Wi-Fi, these are some great options.

WiFi Map

WiFi Map has pinpointed millions of free Wi-Fi locations across more than 200 countries. Their website displays nearby free Wi-Fi locations by city on an interactive map. Clicking on a spot will reveal the address, the Wi-Fi hot spot name and any required passwords. There’s also a mobile app available, which is especially handy for accessing passwords. Plus, the app offers an offline map feature, so you can search for hot spots without needing a connection.

Your local library 

Many libraries offer free Wi-Fi in addition to computer access. Bring your own device to enjoy internet access at no cost. Check your local library’s website or give them a call to confirm if they provide free Wi-Fi and learn about any connection requirements. While some libraries offer open access, others may ask for a password or require a library card number.

Wi-Fi-FreeSpot Directory 

The Wi-Fi-FreeSpot Directory helps you locate free Wi-Fi hot spots in the U.S., Canada, Asia, the Middle East and more. You can search by region, state or country and even narrow your search to specific types of locations, such as hotels, airports, coffee shops or vacation rentals that provide free Wi-Fi.

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6 ways to protect your devices for secure public Wi-Fi use

Public Wi-Fi is everywhere, from your favorite coffee shop to the airport. But while it’s convenient, it also comes with some risks, as we mentioned above. Here are six essential tips to help keep your devices and data safe when you’re browsing on public networks.

1) Use a VPN: Accessing the internet in public places, like coffee shops, can put your personal data at risk. A VPN (virtual private network) ensures that your connection is secure and that your information is encrypted. Using a VPN is one of the most effective ways to safeguard your privacy when browsing on public Wi-Fi. It creates a private, encrypted tunnel for your data, protecting you from potential cyber threats. For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

VPN on an iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

2) Have strong antivirus software: Cybercriminals often exploit the vulnerabilities of public Wi-Fi to distribute malware or intercept sensitive data, making it crucial to protect your devices against such threats. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

3) Use two-factor authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA on your accounts to add an extra layer of security, even if someone manages to intercept your password.

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4) Set strong passwords: Use complex, unique passwords for each of your online accounts. Get more details about my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 here.

5) Keep software updated: Ensure your operating system, applications and security software are up to date to patch known vulnerabilities.

6) Avoid sensitive transactions: Refrain from accessing sensitive information or making financial transactions while on public Wi-Fi.

AVOID PUBLIC WI-FI BY USING YOUR IPHONE AS A HOT SPOT

Kurt’s key takeaways

Finding free Wi-Fi is easy, but it’s important to watch out for security risks. Services like WiFi Map, local libraries and Wi-Fi-FreeSpot can help you find safe hot spots. To protect your data, always use a VPN on public networks and be careful of suspicious networks or activity.

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Have you ever fallen victim to a public Wi-Fi scam? What happened? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Alert: Malware steals bank cards and passwords from millions of devices.

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Here’s your first look at Kratos in Amazon’s God of War show

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Here’s your first look at Kratos in Amazon’s God of War show

Amazon has slowly been teasing out casting details for its live-action adaptation of God of War, and now we have our first look at the show. It’s a single image but a notable one showing protagonist Kratos and his son Atreus. The characters are played by Ryan Hurst and Callum Vinson, respectively, and they look relatively close to their video game counterparts.

There aren’t a lot of other details about the show just yet, but this is Amazon’s official description:

The God of War series storyline follows father and son Kratos and Atreus as they embark on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye. Through their adventures, Kratos tries to teach his son to be a better god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human.

That sounds a lot like the recent soft reboot of the franchise, which started with 2018’s God of War and continued through Ragnarök in 2022. For the Amazon series, Ronald D. Moore, best-known for his work on For All Mankind and Battlestar Galactica, will serve as showrunner. The rest of the cast includes: Mandy Patinkin (Odin), Ed Skrein (Baldur), Max Parker (Heimdall), Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (Thor), Teresa Palmer (Sif), Alastair Duncan (Mimir), Jeff Gulka (Sindri), and Danny Woodburn (Brok).

While production is underway on the God of War series, there’s no word on when it might start streaming.

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300,000 Chrome users hit by fake AI extensions

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300,000 Chrome users hit by fake AI extensions

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Your web browser may feel like a safe place, especially when you install helpful tools that promise to make your life easier. But security researchers have uncovered a dangerous campaign in which more than 300,000 people installed Chrome extensions pretending to be artificial intelligence (AI) assistants. Instead of helping, these fake tools secretly collect sensitive information like your emails, passwords and browsing activity.

They used familiar names like ChatGPT, Gemini and AI Assistant. If you use Chrome and have installed any AI-related extension, your personal information may already be exposed. Even worse, some of these malicious extensions are still available today, putting more people at risk without their knowing.

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More than 300,000 Chrome users installed fake AI extensions that secretly harvested sensitive data. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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What you need to know about fake AI extensions

Security researchers at browser security company LayerX discovered a large campaign involving 30 malicious Chrome extensions disguised as AI-powered assistants (via BleepingComputer). Together, these extensions were installed more than 300,000 times by unsuspecting users.

Some of the most popular extensions included names like AI Sidebar with 70,000 users, AI Assistant with 60,000 users, ChatGPT Translate with 30,000 users, and Google Gemini with 10,000 users. Another extension called Gemini AI Sidebar had 80,000 users before it was removed.

These extensions were distributed through the official Chrome Web Store, which made them appear legitimate and trustworthy. Even more concerning, researchers found that many of these extensions were connected to the same malicious server, showing they were part of a coordinated effort.

While some extensions have since been removed, others remain available. This means new users could still unknowingly install them and expose their personal data. Here’s the list of the affected extensions:

  • AI Assistant
  • Llama
  • Gemini AI Sidebar
  • AI Sidebar
  • ChatGPT Sidebar
  • Grok
  • Asking ChatGPT
  • ChatGBT
  • Chat Bot GPT
  • Grok Chatbot
  • Chat With Gemini
  • XAI
  • Google Gemini
  • Ask Gemini
  • AI Letter Generator
  • AI Message Generator
  • AI Translator
  • AI For Translation
  • AI Cover Letter Generator
  • AI Image Generator ChatGPT
  • Ai Wallpaper Generator
  • Ai Picture Generator
  • DeepSeek Download
  • AI Email Writer
  • Email Generator AI
  • DeepSeek Chat
  • ChatGPT Picture Generator
  • ChatGPT Translate
  • AI GPT
  • ChatGPT Translation
  • ChatGPT for Gmail

FAKE AI CHAT RESULTS ARE SPREADING DANGEROUS MAC MALWARE

These malicious tools were listed in the official Chrome Web Store, making them appear legitimate and trustworthy. (LayerX)

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How the fake AI Chrome extension attack works

These fake extensions pretend to offer helpful AI features, such as translating text, summarizing emails, or acting as an AI assistant. But behind the scenes, they quietly monitor what you are doing online.

Once installed, the extension gains permission to view and interact with the websites you visit. This allows it to read the contents of web pages, including login screens where you enter your username and password.

In some cases, the extensions specifically targeted Gmail. They could read your email messages directly from your browser, including emails you received and even drafts you were still writing. This means attackers could access private conversations, financial information and sensitive personal details.

The extensions then sent this information to servers controlled by the attackers. Because they loaded content remotely, the attackers could change their behavior at any time without needing to update the extension.

Some versions could also activate voice features through your browser. This could potentially capture spoken conversations near your device and send transcripts back to the attackers.

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If you installed one of these extensions, attackers may already have access to extremely sensitive information. This includes your email content, login credentials, browsing habits and possibly even voice recordings.

We reached out to Google for comment, and a spokesperson told CyberGuy that the company “can confirm that the extensions from this report have all been removed from the Google Web Store.”

BROWSER EXTENSION MALWARE INFECTED 8.8M USERS IN DARKSPECTRE ATTACK

Once installed, the extensions could read emails, capture passwords, monitor browsing activity and send the data to attacker-controlled servers. (Bildquelle/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

7 ways you can protect yourself from malicious Chrome extensions

If you have ever installed an AI-related Chrome extension, taking a few simple precautions now can help protect your accounts and prevent further damage.

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1) Remove any suspicious or unused browser extensions

On a Windows PC or Mac, open Chrome and type chrome://extensions into the address bar. Review every extension listed. If you see anything unfamiliar, especially AI assistants you don’t remember installing, click “Remove” immediately. Malicious extensions depend on going unnoticed. Removing them stops further data collection and cuts off the attacker’s access to your information.

2) Change your passwords

If you installed any suspicious extension, assume your passwords may be compromised. Start by changing your email password first, since email controls access to most other accounts. Then update passwords for banking, shopping and social media accounts. This prevents attackers from using stolen credentials to break into your accounts.

3) Use a password manager to create and protect strong passwords

A password manager generates unique, complex passwords for each account and stores them securely. This prevents attackers from accessing multiple accounts if one password is stolen. Password managers also alert you if your login credentials appear in known data breaches, helping you respond quickly and protect your identity. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.

4) Install strong antivirus software and keep it active

Good antivirus software can detect malicious browser extensions, spyware, and other hidden threats. It scans your system for suspicious activity and blocks harmful programs before they can steal your information. This adds an important layer of protection that works continuously in the background to keep your device safe. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

5) Use an identity theft protection service

Identity theft protection services monitor your personal data, including email addresses, financial accounts, and Social Security numbers, for signs of misuse. If criminals try to open accounts or commit fraud using your information, you receive alerts quickly. Early detection allows you to act fast and limit financial and personal damage. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com.

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6) Keep your browser and computer fully updated

Software updates fix security vulnerabilities that attackers exploit. Enable automatic updates for Chrome and your operating system so you always have the latest protections. These updates strengthen your defenses against malicious extensions and prevent attackers from taking advantage of known weaknesses.

7) Use a personal data removal service

Personal data removal services scan data broker websites that collect and sell your personal information. They help remove your data from these sites, reducing what attackers can find and use against you. Less exposed information means fewer opportunities for criminals to target you with scams, identity theft or phishing attacks.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaway

Even tools designed to make your life easier can become tools for cybercriminals. Malicious extensions often hide behind trusted names and convincing features, making them difficult to spot. You can significantly reduce your risk by reviewing your browser extensions regularly, removing anything suspicious and using protective tools like password managers and strong antivirus software.

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Have you checked your browser extensions recently? Let us know your thoughts by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Anthropic refuses Pentagon’s new terms, standing firm on lethal autonomous weapons and mass surveillance

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Anthropic refuses Pentagon’s new terms, standing firm on lethal autonomous weapons and mass surveillance

Less than 24 hours before the deadline in an ultimatum issued by the Pentagon, Anthropic has refused the Department of Defense’s demands for unrestricted access to its AI.

It’s the culmination of a dramatic exchange of public statements, social media posts, and behind-the-scenes negotiations, coming down to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s desire to renegotiate all AI labs’ current contracts with the military. But Anthropic, so far, has refused to back down from its two current red lines: no mass surveillance of Americans, and no lethal autonomous weapons (or weapons with license to kill targets with no human oversight whatsoever). OpenAI and xAI had reportedly already agreed to the new terms, while Anthropic’s refusal had led to CEO Dario Amodei being summoned to the White House this week for a meeting with Hegseth himself, in which the Secretary reportedly issued an ultimatum to the CEO to back down by the end of business day on Friday or else.

In a statement late Thursday, Amodei wrote, “I believe deeply in the existential importance of using AI to defend the United States and other democracies, and to defeat our autocratic adversaries. Anthropic has therefore worked proactively to deploy our models to the Department of War and the intelligence community.”

He added that the company has “never raised objections to particular military operations nor attempted to limit use of our technology in an ad hoc manner” but that in a “narrow set of cases, we believe AI can undermine, rather than defend, democratic values” — going on to specifically mention mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons. (Amodei mentioned that “partial autonomous weapons … are vital to the defense of democracy” and that fully autonomous weapons may eventually “prove critical for our national defense,” but that “today, frontier AI systems are simply not reliable enough to power fully autonomous weapons.” He did not rule out Anthropic acquiescing to the military’s use of fully autonomous weapons in the future but mentioned that they were not ready now.)

The Pentagon had already reportedly asked major defense contractors to assess their dependence on Anthropic’s Claude, which could be seen as the first step to designating the company a “supply chain risk” – a public threat that the Pentagon had made recently (and a classification usually reserved for threats to national security). The Pentagon was also reportedly considering invoking the Defense Production Act to make Anthropic comply.

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Amodei wrote in his statement that the Pentagon’s “threats do not change our position: we cannot in good conscience accede to their request.” He also wrote that “should the Department choose to offboard Anthropic, we will work to enable a smooth transition to another provider, avoiding any disruption to ongoing military planning, operations, or other critical missions. Our models will be available on the expansive terms we have proposed for as long as required.”

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