Threats associated with complimentary Wi-Fi usage for Kazakhstan citizens highlighted
Using bank apps on public Wi-Fi networks in Kazakhstan can pose significant security risks due to the ease with which hackers can intercept sensitive data, such as banking credentials. The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of Kazakhstan warns against using bank apps via free public Wi-Fi.
To ensure a safe banking experience, it's crucial to follow these precautions:
Secure Your Connection
- Use a secure connection, such as mobile internet or a personal hotspot, when possible.
- If you must use public Wi-Fi, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic and protect it from interception.
- Avoid connecting to unknown or unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Always verify the official network name before connecting.
- Disable file sharing and Bluetooth to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your device.
Enable Strong Authentication
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) or two-factor authentication (2FA) in the app settings. Although 2FA helps, it does not fully protect initial data transmissions, so combining it with VPN use is best.
- Use a strong, unique password for your bank app, different from those used in social media and email. The password should be at least 10 characters long and include uppercase letters, numbers, and special symbols.
- Avoid storing passwords in messengers or other apps.
Be Cautious with Your Data
- Regularly check the list of active devices in the bank app to ensure no unauthorised devices are connected.
- Log out of the bank app after completing a transaction.
- Avoid entering sensitive information on public Wi-Fi without added protections. If possible, use your mobile data rather than public Wi-Fi for banking.
- Download apps only from official sources, such as App Store or Google Play.
- Turn on SMS or push notifications for account operations to be alerted of any suspicious activity.
Verify the Network
- To protect your data, verify the network name by asking staff for the official Wi-Fi name.
- Using a PIN, fingerprint, or Face ID to unlock your device is also recommended.
In summary, public Wi-Fi is inherently risky for banking activities in Kazakhstan (as it is globally) because of the ease hackers have in intercepting data on unsecured networks. Proper security measures—especially VPN usage, strong authentication, and cautious network selection—are necessary to mitigate these dangers.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3] [4] [Source 4] [5] [Source 5]
- To secure your personal-finance transactions on untrusted networks like public Wi-Fi in Kazakhstan, employ the use of technology such as Virtual Private Networks (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic.
- In the realm of cybersecurity, integrating strong authentication methods like multi-factor authentication (MFA) or two-factor authentication (2FA) with VPN usage in your bank app settings can help protect your sensitive banking and financial data from cyber threats.
