SHAH ALAM - Public Wi-Fi might be a convenient way to stay connected, but it can also be a gateway for scammers to access your personal information, warns police.

Sepang district police Commercial Crime Investigation Department head Assistant Superintendent Muhammad Mahesh Kumar Risya Abdullah shared alarming insights into how unsuspecting users fall victim to scams and data theft simply by connecting to public or hotel Wi-Fi.

"When you check into a hotel, what’s the first thing you ask for? It’s Wi-Fi. Whether for work, family or leisure, we all want to be connected. But do we ever think twice about the security risks?" he questioned.

Mahesh said the ease of accessing free Wi-Fi often blinds users to the potential dangers.

"Connecting to hotel Wi-Fi or any public network often requires you to give permissions. Many people just click ‘allow’ without realising they are granting access to scan everything on their phones," he noted.

This seemingly harmless action could lead to devastating consequences. He cited daily police reports of unsuspecting victims losing significant sums of money.

“Every day, we receive reports of individuals suddenly finding RM5,000 or more missing from their accounts. Most don’t know how it happened, but we do. It’s often linked to unsafe internet practices like connecting to unsecured wi-fi or clicking on suspicious links," he said.

Mahesh also highlighted another common mistake: clicking on unfamiliar links.

“Many scams begin with a link, be it on social media, emails or messages. People don’t think twice before clicking and that’s all it takes to compromise their data," he said.

He also cautioned against using public charging stations, a lesser-known but equally dangerous risk.

'When you plug into public USB ports, you’re not just charging your phone. These ports can potentially transfer malware or extract your data," he revealed.

Steps to stay safe

To protect yourself, Mahesh offered the following advice:

1. Avoid public Wi-Fi: Use personal data or a secure, private network instead.

2. Be selective with permissions: If you must connect to public Wi-Fi, avoid granting access to personal data or sensitive files.

3. Don’t click unverified links: Verify the source of any link before clicking, especially those that promise deals or request sensitive information.

4. Use a VPN: Virtual Private Networks can provide an additional layer of security by encrypting your online activities.

5. Avoid public USB charging ports: Carry a personal power bank or use your charger with a direct electrical outlet.

Cybercrimes such as data theft and phishing scams are growing concerns in Malaysia. As Mahesh emphasised, the cost of a single mistake can be far greater than imagined.

“It’s not just about losing money. Your personal information like bank details, contacts or even photos can be used for identity theft or worse," he warned.

sos

YES. You can do online banking no problem

Use vpn

>people cant afford an internet for themselves in 2025

so whats the point of purchasing 5G phones with loan contract 5G internet?

Some bank app will detect vpn and refuses to proceed

But those who can afford to go to Starbuck also use free WiFi

Now only know ah. I know "n" yrs ago.

i used it all the time lah

KFC, starbucks, ZUS coffee, MCD, lalaport mall
u just need to know which one to use

Starbucks wifi speed nowadays is between 100 Mbps and 150 Mbps constantly.

good to download large size video..

even private wifi can be hacked.

only bodo will do online banking transaction or log into banking website on public wifi

when i connect to public wifi even with vpn on, i only do normal browsing, if need to do online transaction then switch to mobile data

Hagezi's ultimate blocklist ftw!

"Connecting to hotel Wi-Fi or any public network often requires you to give permissions. Many people just click ‘allow’ without realising they are granting access to scan everything on their phones," he noted.

what kind of sampah OS allows access to everything with just a wifi connection?

Is VPN safe also?

Use mobile data la

Use public wifi is like fuck prostitutes with no condom

where the advice to buy ipong?

now everyone got unlimited data who using public wifi??

pm large size videos

how do you know if its not a spoofed wifi?

it's not connect thn directly can use kind of WIFI....other than ZUS coffee

oh ya, i also use KLIA2 free wifi...can add that into the list

This post has been edited by MR_alien: May 14 2025, 10:11 PM

That moment when bank itself want to block you from you taking being secure lol

I think majority people behind the bank's app don't know the purpose of vpn other than masking geolocation

VPN is to be safe online, it's why even Google also has VPN service, but not sure if available or not in Malaysia.

Actually wifi can save battery than using data, not much but still, it's helping when being outside especially if travelling

Last time, we use volte, now people asking for vowifi already.


This post has been edited by Natsukashii: May 14 2025, 10:20 PM

lol, yea can pretty much capture everything
things you'd capture in a uni dorm

android.

iOS more secure.

oh wai-

apple > all

Those also can be spoofed what, just need to mimic the behavior of the real access point. Then all data you transfer can be snooped by that access point.

Even if its the real access point, no guarantee its not been compromised.

for me i don't mind, if you can make the effort to make the access point looked exactly and worked exactly like the real one
u deserve the data inside my phone....i mean have fun going through it

if you managed to spoof the ZUS coffee one, you're also gonna have fun extracting ALL the data from my laptop
i mean the hacker is gonna extract some quality stuff from my laptop

Some bank application only allow Malaysian IP to reduce the risk for overseas scammers/hackers .. hence why it is geo locked

its the safest, compare to home, office, and even those hightech centre cannot compare.

I always dont understand those people that when go to some place always ask “got wifi here?”…like wtf, your phone no data or u damn cheapskate..i have no comment if they are b40 but i believe majority is not

If its my own friend i confirm shoot them one..”u so poor ar? Need beg for wifi?”

Even when travelling overseas, nowadays roaming or international sim card is damn cheap..so there is no excuse in not getting one

Never use public wifi before, my data cannot finish at all

Saying vpn encrypts your traffic is misleading. Most sites has HTTPS enabled and your traffic to that website is already encrypted by default. What they should say is VPN helps masking your IP from sniffers and ISP or adds additional security layer between your device and internet.

Rubbish article. Almost all FUD.

I'm more worried about 5. USB Charging ports.

To mitigate this, use a basic charge only cable. Like the ones that come with your RM1 USB fan or something.



This post has been edited by soonwai: May 15 2025, 09:55 AM

Oh, I haven't test with Malaysian IP

I might be landing in Peru next week, and if were about to be there for two to three weeks, I rather settle my bills and credit card bills from Peru itself via online banking app such as MAE or CIMB Octo or RHB, etc. Maybe bills can delay, but my credit card is due in 3 weeks from statement date. Or how about if you're the boss for a SME company, you might wanna open your macbook and approve transactions for salary also.

This post has been edited by Natsukashii: May 17 2025, 09:08 PM