Secure Wi-Fi
Keeps you safe on public Wi-Fi networks
The threat
Public Wi-Fi networks — in parks, cafes, airports, — are often either completely open (not password-protected) or not very secure. Connecting to these networks means that you share internet access with everyone around you. A stranger sitting at the next table might steal your data by using a simple, widely-available application.
Online criminals also often use a different strategy — creating an open network of their own, with an easily-understood name (e.g. FREE_WiFi) and funneling everyone who connects to it through their own devices.
How it works
If you connect to a website that uses the secure HTTPS protocol, then there’s no risk — all data exchanged with the site is encrypted to protect it from third parties. However, if a site uses the HTTP protocol, which doesn’t require encryption, Protect steps in. It directs all traffic through Yandex’s secure server. Any data exchanged between the user’s device and the site goes through an encrypted channel.
Secure Wi-Fi turns on automatically when you connect to an open network.
How to turn it off
Secure Wi-Fi turns on automatically when you connect to an open network.
If you need to turn it off, you can do so by pressing the Wi-Fi icon in the address bar.
It’s best to leave it on, especially if you’re going to enter in personal data or pay for something.
If you need to turn it off, you can do so by pressing the Wi-Fi icon in the address bar.
It’s best to leave it on, especially if you’re going to enter in personal data or pay for something.
