Beware of free Wi-Fi: even with good intentions it includes risks

Are you one of those who use the Wi-Fi of the bus to look at the bank account? Well be careful, although open networks are a great service for citizens, the free Wi-Fi could give us more than one headache .Those megabytes per second have to come hand in hand with security systems and privacy.Especially if it comes from the big global brands. Related

In recent years, new Wi-Fi operators have been appearing.In some parts of the world they represent the open network alternative network However, we must be cautious when navigating them .On the phone we carry a lot of data that, exposed, could cause us to lose much more than a few euros.Let's monitor our information, today more than ever.

Google Station, Gowex, WiFi4EU: massive free Wi-Fi?

A few years ago, Google launched an open Wi-Fi service called Google Station in Mexico.It was the third country in the world affiliated with this modality that has not yet arrived in Spain and the rest of Europe.Ntos such as the GRDP are an access barrier.In places like Mexico, India, Indonesia or Nigeria they are already frequent.

Beware of free Wi-Fi: even with good intentions it includes risks

The mechanics are as follows: a service provider owning some key infrastructure (libraries, schools, transport stations, buses, stadiums, museums) contacts Google to provide free service to its users .For this provider the cost is null, since the Alphabet company has another way to monetize the service.

Working with local telephone operators, Google Station installs everything necessary to give Wi-Fi to an area, after that, it opens the service and anyone who passes through it can connect and consume unlimited data in an encrypted and secure way.we will not have this other problem of open networks.It is obvious that the citizen and who gets the owner of the infrastructure.But what does Google earn?

To start, take the pulse of citizenship in real time.Google is a company that works with data: the more you get, the more It increases its value on the stock market.In this sense, the mere fact of knowing who connects, where and when it already provides value to the company. Users pay in data flow the cost of a fast connection to the network .

Something similar happens with other networks such as Gowex or WiFi4EU, the European open network initiative.Although the user does not have to pay anything, at least one brand will be responsible for supporting the service.This means that you will get an interesting amount of data.

Would you see ads to enjoy free Wi-Fi?

So the service is actually 'free' .It is part of the well-known data model by service.The main advantage is that the data is encrypted.However, initiatives like Google Stat ion go one step further and monetize your infrastructure through ads .

Every time a user connects to the network, he receives an ad that he has to view on his terminal to be able to continue with the connection.Locating, choosing and connecting to the connection will have publicity, but you also have to use it for many hours or download many gigabytes.And they cannot be blocked with AdBlock, the ad blocker par excellence.

The model, which is not new, reminds private television networks: you can enjoy your series, but the cost will be to see some minutes of commercials.Are you willing to pay for it? It is the advertisers who, in essence, are paying the cost of the Wi-Fi service .

In addition, this service uses a freemium model in some countries.The first gigabytes or minutes a day are free.The rest, paid.Something that has some consistency, since the service has a cost in both infrastructure and operating expenses.

Free Internet, as a right

These initiatives have their pros and cons.In favor, an encrypted, secure and fast network for users .In the video above we hear in person that it provides a free anchor point in an economically depressed area.Our country is privileged.

Many people depend on this connection to talk to their family or study frames the importance of internet access for this population. In a country like ours it is less relevant because the telecommunications network is excellent.We worry about other issues , such as privacy, because we take the service for granted.

Beware of free Wi-Fi: even with good intentions it includes risks

In countries like India (above) internet access is limited.That said, the free wifi is conditioned to see ads or the extraction of user data raises a moral debate that we have not yet resolved .Shouldn't the municipality be in charge?

Medellin (C olombia) was one of the first cities to install Wi-Fi coverage.Along with the improvement of transport, it reduced its crime rate.Today, the city that does not have Wi-Fi in key public buildings is rare.

It seems that Open networks, managed by local operators, are the future of connection in the city, however, we must always keep in mind our privacy and the misuse of some systems.You have to be careful with free Wi-Fi because even with good intentions includes risks .

Images | iStock/Soifer, Google Station

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