Staying safe online is incredibly important. But, although we all have a responsibility to keep ourselves safe, Wi-Fi and 5G providers also need to play their part in keeping our private data away from those who would use it for evil.
This article will look at private Wi-Fi and 5G to explain why they are safer than their open counterparts.
Why public Wi-Fi can be a problem
There may be some situations where you want to use the internet but are away from home or work. For example, on the train, in a cafe, or at the park.
One option is to use your 4/5G allowance, but some people wish to avoid this as they might have little. However, connecting to Wi-Fi in public could be risky.
Data sent over the Wi-Fi can be intercepted, which can be a massive problem if you send sensitive information such as bank details or passwords. Sometimes, people will even set up fake Wi-Fi networks that sound like legitimate ones to fool people.
For example, in a coffee shop, you might find one network called “Starbucks Wi-Fi” and another called “Starbucks FREE Wi-Fi.” If both are open, you cannot know which one is provided by Starbucks and which is dangerous.
What is private Wi-Fi?
Private Wi-Fi is Wi-Fi that an individual or organization owns the server for and usually requires a password to access. A great example would be the Wi-Fi I’m using to type up this document onto Google Docs. I pay for this Wi-Fi myself, and it requires a password (which only I know) to use. Companies can also own private Wi-Fi networks, so only their employees can use it.
Encryption
But, if you are on public Wi-Fi, you’re probably already safer than you think and certainly safer than VPN companies want you to believe. Have you ever seen the little padlock symbol in your web browser? This symbol means that any data sent from your computer to the website (passwords, bank details, or other private information) is encrypted. But what does that mean?
Essentially, all the data is scrambled and can only be unscrambled at the website’s servers. If anyone tries to intercept, they will only see a large jumble and won’t be able to see any of your private information. You should also note that the padlock symbol doesn’t mean safe. That symbol only shows internet interceptors can’t hijack the data transaction between your computer and the website. It does not prevent the website itself from being fraudulent or dangerous.
Is 5G a security risk?
According to one article from 2019, all it takes to hack into 5G internet to see what other people are sending is cellular paging protocols. Those with this knowledge and malicious intentions can hear phone calls, see your location, and enact phishing attacks. How exactly someone can hack 5G is incredibly complex. I don’t fully understand it. And the chances of it happening to you are small. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
What is Private 5G?
Private 5G works similarly to the regular public 5G that most of you would already be familiar with. However, the main difference is that the owner of the specific band waves can give priority access or licensing to certain websites. For example, suppose you own a company and have employees on the road. In that case, you may give them access to valuable services such as Maps or online client databases but slow down the internet if they use Twitter or other procrastination websites. Private 5G networks will also have more secure safety features than regular public 5G.
Ericsson Private 5G
Ericson is one private 5G company currently at the forefront of enclosed 5G networks. Ericsson uses a “single-server 5G dual mode core”. One server uses 5G standalone (regular 5G) and LTE (long-term evolution). By the way, LTE is just another form of wireless communication. The first company to use Ericsson private Wi-Fi is called “Agri Food connect.” And they use the services to get information about predictive maintenance (working out when maintenance will be due), machinery, and other vital aspects of the company.
Conclusion
As the world becomes more digitized, it’s understandable that many are concerned about the risks this can bring, from online fraud to unsafe internet connections to hackers. That’s why many websites use the little padlock symbol to make their users feel safer, and even 5G providers are using private 5G to make their clients safer and give them more control. Although private Wi-Fi usually suffices for most companies, those who often have employees traveling could benefit significantly from private 5G networks such as Ericsson. Although whether anyone can scale the business model as quickly as some would like remains to be seen.