Everyone nowadays is probably familiar with 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi hotspots. In this technological era and internet driven world, there are ample of ways to get and stay connected to the Internet. But have you ever realized that mode you are using is really safe or not? Have you ever though which is the safest way to stay connected? So, let’s find this out!

Truly speaking, nothing is 100% safe. Everything today has some extent of fear of hacking. However, there are few ways in which you can beef up your own security and get some close to that 100% as possible. However you need to cope up with this you need to understand what these technologies are, and what are the risks that come along with them?

How Do Mobile Devices Connect to the Internet?

Let’s discuss about the three different ways in which your mobile device can be connected to the Internet-

4G Connections

4G-enabled devices connect to the Internet though their service provider’s cellular connection. Instead of receiving a signal from an Internet Service Provider as the device would at home or work, it receives data from the cellular company in the same way it receives a mobile phone connection. 4G allows users to access the Internet anywhere they receive signal. Fortunately, data being sent via 4G is encrypted, making 4G safer than public Wi-Fi.

Private Wi-Fi Connections

These are the types of networks which you usually find in your office or at home. Private Wi-Fi connections, when properly set up, allow you to set password-protected access and encryption to the data and information that is being sent and received.

Public Wi-Fi Hotspots

Public Wi-Fi hotspots are found in public places such as airports, coffee shops, malls, restaurants, and hotels — virtually anywhere. These are the least safe way to connect to the Internet. There are so many unknown variables, but the main problem with using a public network is being unable to determine if it is 100% safe. You really can’t know if it’s safe or not.

Can 4G Be Hacked?

Nothing connected to the Internet is 100% invincible to cybercriminals all the time. However, when it comes to hacking 4G or the fourth generation mobile communication network, hacking seems to still be in the proof-of-concept stage. Proof-of-concepts happen when white hat hackers or the good guys, who are usually researchers look for ways they can compromise a system.

So, the final answer is yes, 4G can be compromised. However, the best part is that it is much more difficult to hack 4G than public Wi-Fi.

So, what’s the Safest Solution?

Since, there are only a few options in which you can connect to the internet, there is some hope to be remain secured. When it comes to public Wi-Fi, there are more opportunities for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities via your connection over Wi-Fi than over 4G. The safest way to ensure your security while using internet is to use a multi-layered approach. The use of anti-malware protection, firewalls, and VPNs, are some of the ways which you can use to stay safe and secure while being connected to internet.

There are a number of anti-virus apps available to help you provide protection against malwares and other such issues. These anti-virus apps offer you a number of tools such as remote lock, password protection, etc. to enhance your security and provide complete protection.