Technology
Mistakes to avoid if you just have to use public Wi-Fi
Sometimes, we find ourselves in a situation where we urgently need an internet connection, but we are not at home or at work. We might want to do some online tasks, such as checking our email, browsing social media, or streaming our favorite show. However, what if the only available option is a public Wi-Fi network that we are not familiar with? How can we use it safely without exposing our privacy and security?
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Free Wi-Fi sign (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
This is a dilemma that many people face, even those who are experts in cybersecurity. Case in point, Blackhat, the world’s largest hacker conference held annually in Las Vegas, brings together thousands of cybersecurity professionals from all over the world. They attend the conference to learn about the latest cyberthreats and solutions. But even these skilled professionals can fall victim to the hazards of public Wi-Fi.
Blackhat convention (Blackhat) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The event organizers have a playful way of exposing this vulnerability. They monitor the network traffic and display the names of those who have been tricked by a fake or compromised Wi-Fi hotspot. This is the notorious “Wall of Sheep.”
The Wall of Sheep showcases the unfortunate consequences of network security negligence. The people on this wall are not willing participants, but careless attendees whose private data was captured and revealed to everyone.
These stories should serve as a stark warning to anyone who is concerned about the potential pitfalls of using public Wi-Fi. Even the most experienced cybersecurity professionals can be vulnerable to unsecured networks.
Illustration of data and a hacker (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
MORE: 5 WAYS TO SECURELY ACCESS WI-FI ON YOUR PHONE WHILE TRAVELING
Real-life examples of hackers’ victims at Blackhat
You may wonder what the big deal is about ending up on the Wall of Sheep, but it can be far worse. Some of the horror stories include:
The hotel hotspot trap
One attendee checked into a nearby hotel during Blackhat week and decided to catch up on work using the hotel’s open Wi-Fi network. Unbeknownst to them, a hacker had set up a rogue hotspot, mirroring the hotel’s official network. The hacker intercepted the attendee’s login credentials and gained access to sensitive work emails and confidential documents.
The overconfident developer
A seasoned developer known for his coding skills headed to Blackhat thinking he was invincible. He ignored warnings and connected to a rogue network named “SecureConferenceWiFi.” Confident in his skills, he used the same weak password for all his accounts. Little did he know that his email and social media accounts were compromised. This turned out to be an embarrassing leak of sensitive project data and personal conversations.
The crypto investor’s nightmare
There was also a crypto investor who attended to participate in discussions about blockchain technology. During the conference, he went to access his online wallet and entered his passphrase on an unsecured network. Within minutes, a hacker intercepted his credentials and emptied his wallet, leaving him penniless and devastated.
Illustration of Wi-Fi being used (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
MORE: HOW TO CHECK IF SOMEONE IS STEALING YOUR WI-FI
You become sitting prey the moment you connect to a typical public Wi-Fi hotspot
Unless you’re using a VPN service, even locked or secured public Wi-Fi networks are not completely safe. Public Wi-Fi hotspots are usually free or secured Wi-Fi networks available in public spaces like shopping malls, libraries, coffee shops, airports and hotels, to name a few.
Scam hotspots are historically easily identified by generic names like “Free Wifi” to lure people to connect to their networks. Cybercriminals have gotten savvier by using similar names of popular legitimate hotspots. If you aren’t paying close attention, you will be the next victim.
Preventative tactics for avoiding bad public Wi-Fi hotspots
- Most public Wi-Fi hotspots in the US don’t require payment information, so that’s a red flag that a hacker might be trying to steal personal and financial information from you.
- Regardless of how it is named, most closed networks have a lock symbol indicating a Wi-Fi network that is more secure with the password available for patrons or provided by the establishment.
- Usually, legitimate public networks have a prompt that shows up in your browser that asks you to agree to terms and conditions of use while on their network too.
- Pay attention to the website address you’re going to:
Most websites, especially those with sensitive data, usually employ their own encryption techniques, so they will likely have HTTPS in the web address so you can always check your URL before logging in.For example: HTTPS://www.paypal.com not HTTP://www.paypal.com. Sometimes browsers autofill commonly visited sites, but you can then click on the web address bar at the top or bottom of your browser and read how the URL is actually showing up once you are directed there.Pay attention to the spelling of the website – there can be similar sites made to look like official sites. Could be ‘bannkofamerica’ instead of ‘bankofamerica.com’
- Most websites, especially those with sensitive data, usually employ their own encryption techniques, so they will likely have HTTPS in the web address so you can always check your URL before logging in.For example: HTTPS://www.paypal.com not HTTP://www.paypal.com. Sometimes browsers autofill commonly visited sites, but you can then click on the web address bar at the top or bottom of your browser and read how the URL is actually showing up once you are directed there.
- For example: HTTPS://www.paypal.com not HTTP://www.paypal.com. Sometimes browsers autofill commonly visited sites, but you can then click on the web address bar at the top or bottom of your browser and read how the URL is actually showing up once you are directed there.
- Pay attention to the spelling of the website – there can be similar sites made to look like official sites. Could be ‘bannkofamerica’ instead of ‘bankofamerica.com’
Of course, you don’t have control over every scenario, and maybe using a public Wi-Fi hotspot is your last but necessary resort, especially while traveling. With a secure VPN service, you connect to a public Wi-Fi network without much worry. See my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.
A person using Wi-Fi on their laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
MORE: CLEVER TRICK TO MAKE A CONNECTION FASTER ON YOUR WI-FI NETWORK
5 common attacks on people using public Wi-Fi
1) ‘Evil twin’ attacks
Imagine being at your favorite coffee shop and connecting to what appears to be their free Wi-Fi network. When you begin to browse the web, you are completely unaware that you’ve fallen victim to an “evil twin attack” as hackers have set up a malicious hotspot with the same name as a legitimate network. The attacker is now able to intercept data, steal your login credentials, and launch further attacks.
Solution
When you use a VPN service, it establishes a level of encryption between the end-user and a website regardless of what network you join, so any intercepted data cannot be read by the hacker without a correct decryption key.
2) ‘Man-in-the-middle’ attacks (MITM)
“Man-in-the-middle” attackers position themselves between your device and the intended server. Unbeknownst to you, this allows them to intercept all data traffic, including every email, chat message, or login attempt. Your sensitive data, private conversations, and financial transactions are now all available to them.
Solution
Because VPN services encrypt your data, even if hackers intercept your data, it isn’t accessible to them. VPN services work both for your personal computer and mobile devices, which means the protection of a VPN service can travel anywhere you go.
3) The ‘packet sniffing’ hack (Software reads your data)
Whenever you connect to any network, your devices send data packets that can be read by free software, such as Wireshark. When you’re on an unencrypted network, hackers can use free software, such as Wireshark, to read those data packets. Ironically, with such software, you can analyze web traffic to find security problems and vulnerabilities that need to be fixed or exploited.
Solution
Even though hackers can still see that there are data packets being sent, if you’re using a VPN, your data is traveling through a secure and encrypted tunnel, protecting against exposure and use by hackers. Because your data is encrypted, it renders your information virtually useless to hackers. And because they can see that you’re connecting via a VPN service, hackers can see that you would be harder to hack.
4) The ‘sidejacking’ hack
When a hacker employs the sidejacking technique, they essentially take the information gleaned from packet sniffing to be used in real-time, usually on-location, to exploit its victim. Once intercepted, the data is then used to gain access to the original destination website or app.
The hacker uses packet sniffing to read network traffic and ‘steal cookies.’ Cookies are files that a website stores on your mobile phone, tablet, or computer as you browse the web. Cookies store a variety of information, from language preferences to personal data such as name, physical address, or email address.
This allows websites to customize your experience. Once hackers find nonsecure socket layer cookies (just HTTP:// not HTTPS://), the information sent to the website or app by you is then captured. This allows the hacker to use what is captured to exploit private information and gain access to this and other sites.
Solution
Hackers scan web traffic to spot unencrypted or exploitable encrypted data, so having a secure VPN service most likely takes your data ‘out of the running’ for most hackers as they can see it is encrypted. And even if they do try, information going from and to your device is encrypted, so they will likely be unable to access the information itself.
5) Malware infection
Public Wi-Fi networks are often secured poorly or entirely unsecured. This allows cybercriminals the ability to infect your device with various forms of malicious software, including spyware and ransomware. Once infected, your data is at risk of theft or encryption. Your device can also be turned into a puppet for remote control.
Solution
If you forget to turn on your VPN service while out and about, you might panic at the thought of all the potential compromises outlined above. If, however, you’re running an antivirus program in the background of your device, you’d still be protected should a hacker infiltrate your device. Having antivirus software on your devices will make sure you are stopped from clicking on any potential malicious links, which may install malware on your devices and allow hackers to gain access to your personal information. Find my review of Best Antivirus Protection here.
A woman using a laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Kurt’s key takeaways
Understanding the risks and taking precautions while using public Wi-Fi can protect you and your data. Keep in mind that using your cell phone and its data network should be your preference if a login is required or if you will be sharing personal or financial data. Remember that unless you are in Las Vegas at Blackhat, you won’t find yourself on a “Wall of Sheep,” but it could be something much worse.
Have you ever encountered a risky situation while using public Wi-Fi? If so, how did you handle it? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Congress narrowly voted to fund President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda, giving the Department of Homeland Security $70 billion over the next three years.
The house voted 214 to 212 in favor of the reconciliation bill Tuesday, following the Senate’s 52-47 vote last Friday morning. The vote fell largely along party lines. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was the only Senate Republican to vote against it. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), initially voted against the bill — meaning it would have failed — but changed his vote after huddling with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-OK), according to The Hill. No Democrats voted in favor of the funding bill, which was done through a budget reconciliation process to avoid a Democratic filibuster.
In a speech on the House floor ahead of the Tuesday vote, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) criticized Republicans for using the budget reconciliation process to avoid negotiating with Democrats, and emphasized ICE’s lack of popularity with the American people.
“At its core, this Republican reconciliation budget bill is a statement about priorities, and the priorities represented in this budget bill could not be more out of step with the needs and values of the American people,” Scanlon said.
Scanlon noted that DHS has yet to spend $100 billion of the nearly $200 billion it received under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. She added that Trump has not only expanded ICE’s reach by increasingly going after legal immigrants but also weaponized DHS against its critics. The bill, she said, will “supercharge” Trump’s abuses.
After the House markup last Friday, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, noted that the bill not only lacks sufficient reforms but also cuts funding for cybersecurity and TSA, whose workers went weeks without pay during the DHS shutdown.
The funding bill comes at a time of deep unpopularity for ICE. One recent poll found that just 33 percent of voters approve of how the agency is doing its job.
And it comes amid yet another threat from border czar Tom Homan to flood New York City with ICE agents. In an interview with Fox News on Monday, Homan said he would send “more ICE agents than you’ve ever seen” to New York City if the state government passed a bill limiting cooperation with DHS.
“Providing a quarter trillion dollars to an administration promising that the public ‘ain’t seen shit yet’ when it comes to mass deportation is a historic mistake,” Todd Schulte, president of the immigration reform group FWD.us, said in a statement. “Supercharging the funding for these already out of control systems will come with terrible human consequences and continue to be met with increasing opposition from voters.”
Correction, June 9th: A previous version of this story said Rep. Tim Walberg voted against the funding bill. He initially voted against it but then changed his vote to support it.
Update, June 9th: This story has been updated to include comment from FWD.us president Todd Schulte.
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Food prices have a way of sneaking up on you. One week, your usual grocery run feels normal. The next week, a few basics suddenly cost a lot more than you expected.
That is why money-saving food apps are worth a closer look. All of these apps are free to download or sign up for, but you still pay for any food, groceries or purchases you make through them.
Some help you find discounted groceries before stores toss them. Others connect you with surprise meals, receipt rewards, free local listings or recipes based on what you already have at home.
The trick is knowing which app fits the way you actually shop. Here are eight apps that can help you stretch your food budget, reduce waste and maybe make your next receipt feel a little less painful.
10 THINGS TO STOP PAYING FOR TO SAVE MONEY NOW
Food savings apps can help shoppers find discounted groceries, restaurant meals, receipt rewards and free local food listings. (iStock)
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1) Flashfood
Flashfood helps you find discounted groceries from participating stores near you. The app focuses on food that is still good but getting close to its best-by date. You browse local deals in the app, pay through the app and pick up your order in the store. Flashfood says shoppers can find grocery deals for up to 50% off. That can include produce, meat, dairy, pantry items and other staples, depending on what stores near you have available.
- Best for: Discounted grocery pickup.
- How you save: Buy marked-down groceries from participating stores before they go to waste.
- Good to know: Availability depends on participating stores near you.
2) Misfits Market
Misfits Market delivers groceries to your door. The company says it offers high-quality rescued foods and lets you choose what goes in your order. After signing up, you receive a weekly shopping window. You can review your cart, remove items, add groceries and skip orders when needed. This can work well if you want grocery delivery and like the idea of reducing food waste at the same time. Misfits Market says there are no subscription fees or order obligations. You can skip, pause or cancel.
- Best for: Grocery delivery with rescued food.
- How you save: Order discounted groceries, including rescued or excess food, delivered to your door.
- Good to know: Delivery depends on your ZIP code. Misfits Market says it serves nearly every ZIP code in the contiguous U.S., with limited service in select areas.
Misfits Market lets you customize grocery deliveries with rescued or excess food that may cost less than traditional shopping.
3) Too Good To Go
Too Good To Go helps you buy surplus food from nearby restaurants, bakeries, cafés and stores. The app uses “Surprise Bags,” which means you usually know the type of food and pickup window, but not every exact item inside. That surprise part can be fun, especially if you like trying local spots. It can also be less ideal if you need a very specific dinner plan. Too Good To Go says users can save and enjoy food at half price or less.
- Best for: Discounted restaurant and bakery food.
- How you save: Buy discounted Surprise Bags from local restaurants, bakeries, cafés and stores.
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Food savings apps work best when they match how you already shop, pick up food, save receipts or plan meals. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
4) Olio
Olio connects people locally so they can give away food and other useful items. The app says you can browse free food from local shops and neighbors. You may also find books, toys, toiletries and household items. This one feels more community-based than a regular coupon app. It can be especially helpful if you live in an active area where neighbors and local shops often post.
- Best for: Free local food and household items.
- How you save: Find free food and household items shared by neighbors or local businesses.
- Good to know: Results depend heavily on your local community.
5) SuperCook
SuperCook helps you turn the food already in your kitchen into meals. You enter the ingredients you have at home, and the app suggests recipes you can make. That can save money in a different way. Instead of buying more groceries, you may find a way to use the half bag of rice, frozen vegetables or canned beans you already paid for.
- Best for: Using up food you already have.
- How you save: Turn ingredients you already have into meals, so you can avoid another grocery run.
- Good to know: This one does not give cash back. It helps you avoid extra spending and food waste.
6) Ibotta
Ibotta gives you cash back on eligible purchases. Before you shop, you add cash-back offers in the app. After shopping in-store, you submit your receipt. Ibotta says you can withdraw earnings once you reach $20. It’s great because it can work with groceries and other everyday purchases. The key is remembering to add offers before you shop and submit your receipt after.
- Best for: Grocery cash back.
- How you save: Earn cash back on eligible grocery and everyday purchases after you submit receipts.
- Good to know: You need to match the right offers and follow the redemption steps.
7) Fetch
Fetch turns receipts into points. You shop, snap receipts and earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards. Fetch says you can earn points from in-store or online shopping, plus offers from participating brands. This app can be simple because you do not always need to pick offers before you shop. Still, special offers can help you earn more points.
- Best for: Turning receipts into gift cards.
- How you save: Snap receipts to earn points you can redeem for gift cards.
- Good to know: Points vary by receipt, brands and offers.
Fetch turns receipts into points you can redeem for gift cards from popular retailers.
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Receipt rewards apps such as Ibotta, Fetch and Upside can help shoppers earn cash back or gift cards on eligible purchases. (SDI Productions/Getty Images)
8) Upside
Upside is best known for gas savings, but it can also work for groceries and restaurants where offers are available. You open the app, claim a cash-back offer near you, shop as usual and pay with a credit or debit card.
- Best for: Cash back on groceries, gas and dining.
- How you save: Claim cash-back offers on gas, groceries and restaurants at participating locations.
- Good to know: Grocery and restaurant offers depend on participating locations near you.
For direct links to each app and any available CyberGuy savings codes, visit CyberGuy.com and search for “8 apps that can help you cut your food bill.”
Which app should you try first?
Start with the app that fits your normal routine. If you already shop at grocery stores in person, try Flashfood or Ibotta. If you save receipts anyway, Fetch is an easy add-on. If you order groceries online, Misfits Market may be worth checking. If you like trying local food, Too Good To Go can be a fun way to save. If your fridge is full, but dinner still feels impossible, SuperCook may help you avoid another grocery run. For gas and food cash back in one place, Upside deserves a look. For free local food and community sharing, Olio may surprise you, depending on where you live.
A few smart tips before using food savings apps
Before you download every app on this list, take a moment to think about your habits. First, check whether the app works in your area. Some apps depend on local stores, restaurants or community activity. If there are no nearby offers, the app may not help much yet.
Next, watch pickup windows. Apps like Flashfood and Too Good To Go can save you money, but they also require timing. If you miss the pickup, you may lose the deal. Also, avoid buying food only because it looks cheap. A discounted item saves money only if you actually use it. Finally, read the app’s privacy settings. These apps often work through location, receipts, purchases and rewards accounts. Use only the permissions you feel comfortable sharing.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Food savings apps can help, but they work best when they match your real life. Flashfood and Too Good To Go are great for deal hunters who can pick up food nearby. Misfits Market works better for people who want groceries delivered. Ibotta, Fetch and Upside can help you earn something back from purchases you already make. SuperCook and Olio come at savings from a different angle. One helps you use what you already bought. The other connects you with local people and shops that share food and useful items. The biggest takeaway? Do not let the app make you spend more. Use it as a tool, not a temptation.
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Would you try an app that sells surprise food bags, or do you want to know exactly what you are getting before you pay? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
MacOS 27 Golden Gate will usher in a bunch of changes to the Mac when it’s released later this year, with its biggest new features revolving around Siri AI. But for now, using the first developer beta, Siri AI is only offered through a waitlist. So what’s available to try is mostly about how the upcoming operating system looks and feels.
You’re not welcomed with any fanfare when you boot up the macOS 27 developer beta (that’ll probably come later), but there’s reason to celebrate. Jump to the appearance settings, and you find that Apple now has a Liquid Glass slider, allowing users to set the amount of UI transparency in macOS. On one end of the slider, it’s as seethrough as Liquid Glass gets, and on the other end the transparent accents are heavily frosted. Golden Gate starts you in the middle of the slider by default, for just a touch of frosting — perhaps a gentle admission that the original look went too far. You sadly can’t go fully opaque, but this frosted look does greatly reduce the distracting elements of Liquid Glass.
After spending just a short while with Golden Gate, I already prefer the minimum transparency look. I’d crank that slider in the full version and never turn back. For the strongest Liquid Glass haters out there, the Reduce Transparency option is still available in the Accessibility settings, but using it is like taking a hammer to all that glass — introducing lots of harsh gray and black backgrounds to the dock, Menu Bar, and Control Center.
The absolute wins for macOS 27’s design is the return of edge-to-edge sidebars with colorful icons and the increased corner radii of windows across the OS. The former is basically a backtrack to the way sidebars used to look (which looked better and easier to parse, with less wasted space). And the latter is just logical. How on Earth did Apple get so high on its own design supply that it allowed windowed apps to have mismatched corners?
I do have my nitpicks — the new battery icon taken from iOS is less legible (really, I hate it). Also, after Apple finally added the most basic window snapping feature in Sequoia, it hasn’t refined it one bit. Both Tahoe and now Golden Gate are leaving me wanting better and faster tiling controls like Windows 11, as well as the simple ability to rename virtual desktops. But so far, nothing.
Apple says Golden Gate is supposed to feel snappier, with faster search indexing. It’s too early to tell how much of a difference this makes on the MacBook Neo I’m testing it on — especially since dev betas are notoriously buggy and unstable. Using Spotlight search for local files on Golden Gate performed similar to another Neo I had on-hand running macOS 26 Tahoe. And opening apps on both systems side-by-side led to mixed results: Golden Gate opened Lightroom Classic and Slack faster, but Tahoe was faster to open Photoshop and Steam. I hope Apple’s under the hood improvements to memory and CPU usage will really show on the MacBook Neo, which could use all the efficiency it can get, but the jury’s out for now.
There’s still more to come with further beta releases of macOS 27, where we’ll at some point be able to fully test Siri AI, Visual Intelligence, and the revamped Spotlight Search. Last year’s power user-focused Spotlight with clipboard history was a nice improvement, but I’m skeptical that Siri AI being baked into Spotlight will be quite the gamechanger Apple’s billing it as. I’ll keep an open mind and be looking to find out once I’m off the waitlist.
For now, I’m relieved Apple is slightly backpedaling on Liquid Glass. While the look was never quite as bad on the Mac as it was on iOS, it’s a welcome change to be able to turn down these transparencies and get a little closer to the old looks from Sequoia. That and the other bits of UI polish are a nice upgrade on their own. Now, Apple has to show that it can nail all the new AI features, too — I’m eager to see how it fares.
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