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Safe Wi-fi or QRishing

Did you just log into public Wi-Fi?

👉 Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but it can put your personal information at risk.

👉 Hackers can steal passwords, banking details, and even infect your device with malware.

​​​​How to be safer:

​​✅ Use mobile data or a personal hotspot for sensitive activities.
✅ Turn off auto-connect to unknown Wi-Fi networks.
✅ Use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your connection.
✅ Avoid entering passwords or making payments on public Wi-Fi.​

Did you just scan a QR code?

👉 QR codes are convenient, but can put your personal information at risk.

👉 Criminals can steal passwords, banking details, and even infect your device with malware.

How to be safer:

​​✅ Avoid downloading apps via QR codes - Instead, use verified app stores like the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to ensure you're installing legitimate applications.

✅ Refrain from conducting financial transactions through QR codes - as scammers can use them to redirect you to fraudulent websites designed to steal your money or personal information.

✅ Before scanning - check if the QR code appears to be a sticker placed over another code or if it looks suspicious. Criminals may replace legitimate codes with malicious ones.

✅ When filling out forms accessed via QR codes - provide only the minimum required personal information. Be cautious if a form requests details that seem unnecessary for the context.

​​​​

Think before you connect or scan:

​​​👉 If a criminal had access to your connection or data right now, what could they see?

👉​ Stay safe, take control of your cyber security.

​​​

✅ Join the Cyber Resilience Centre to learn more and protect yourself.​​

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The contents of this website are provided for general information only and are not intended to replace specific professional advice relevant to your situation. The intention of the South East Cyber Resilience Centre is to encourage cyber resilience by raising issues and disseminating information on the experiences and initiatives of others.  Articles on the website cannot by their nature be comprehensive and may not reflect the most recent legislation, practice, or application to your circumstances. The South East Cyber Resilience Centre provides funded services and Cyber Essential Partners if you need specific support. For specific questions please contact us at enquiries@secrc.police.uk.  The South East Cyber Resilience Centre does not accept any responsibility for any loss that may arise from reliance on information or materials published on this website.  It is not responsible for the content of external internet sites that link to this site or which are linked from it.

© 2022 - 2025 The South East Cyber Resilience Centre

Registered in England & Wales, No. 13263448 

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