Russians are increasingly faced with targeted advertising on the Internet, and one of the reasons for this is the so-called “Wi-Fi traps” in free access points. Privacy expert Alexander Kellermann explains that such traps collect data about users, and then providers sell this information to advertisers. This results in many people receiving unwanted ad notifications.
Kellermann emphasizes that free Wi-Fi hotspots can collect data from any nearby Wi-Fi-enabled device. They record location, length of stay and even other data. Financial data operators transmit the information to tax authorities, and banks can obtain data on income and expenses, including access to passport data. Additionally, stores that offer discount cards ask you to leave your personal information in order to participate in their loyalty systems.
To avoid falling victim to such methods, Kellermann recommends not connecting to unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks and avoiding filling out forms in stores. He recommends setting strong passwords on accounts, not answering calls from unknown numbers, and carefully monitoring your gadgets’ settings to know what data is being collected and used. These simple steps will help protect your personal information from unwanted collections.
Source: Ferra
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