Only send personal information to websites you know are fully encrypted.

Hackers and scammers understand encrypted sites too. But be careful … just because the site uses HTTPS doesn’t mean it’s real.

Securely connect to websites: If you see HTTPS in the web address, it is secure.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, there are ways you can protect yourself and your data when you’re on public Wi-Fi: If you connect to a public network, someone may see what you’re doing and hack in to gain access to your personal information. If you’re in a public place such as a coffee shop, library, or airport, keep in mind that Wi-Fi hotspots may be convenient but are often not secure.

This is why you should have a strong password for your network. But make sure to be careful … if you can see what Wi-Fi devices are connected to the same network, hackers may gain access to all your devices.

For instance, your smartphone may have the capability of displaying the screen on your television if they are on the same Wi-Fi network. It can also allow you to connect devices within the same network. Wi-Fi connected devices are password protected to keep strangers off your network. This can be anything from loading a webpage, downloading a file, or streaming a video. With a greater connection range, Wi-Fi can also transfer small and large amounts of data at high speeds over short distances. For instance, your router can be in one room of your house, and you’re connected from another room.

The connection can work from far distances. Instead of being plugged into an Internet cable, your devices are linked via a router or a mobile network, allowing you to move freely in your home or from just about anywhere. You’ll usually see Wi-Fi technology in phones, tablets, and computers, but it’s even available in other devices such as TVs, cars, and some appliances. Wi-Fi is normally used to connect your devices to the Internet. These technologies are known to connect our devices, but do you really know the difference? If you have a smartphone, tablet, or any similar devices, it most likely has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® capabilities. Technology over the years has changed so much.

Wifi vs bluetooth pros and cons