The Nigerian Police have warned citizens about the cybersecurity risks associated with using free and public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive online activities, particularly banking transactions, urging users to take precautions to protect their financial information from cybercriminals.
The warning comes amid growing concerns about online fraud, identity theft and other forms of cybercrime as Nigerians increasingly depend on digital platforms to transfer money, pay bills, shop online and manage their finances.
Public Wi-Fi networks are commonly available in hotels, restaurants, airports, shopping centres, educational institutions and other public places. While these networks offer convenient internet access, users may not always know who operates them, how they are secured or whether malicious individuals are monitoring activity on the connection.
According to a report published by Akelicious on October 19, 2026, the police advised Nigerians to avoid using free and public Wi-Fi for sensitive online activities, including banking. The report also recommended using a virtual private network (VPN) when public Wi-Fi cannot be avoided. However, users should understand that a VPN offers an additional layer of protection rather than a guarantee against every form of cyberattack. 【turn277284search0】【turn277284search2】
The warning reflects broader cybersecurity guidance from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which specifically advises internet users against accessing internet or mobile banking through public Wi-Fi because malicious individuals may exploit insecure connections to steal information. 【turn277284search1】
How Public Wi-Fi Can Expose Bank Customers to Fraud
Public Wi-Fi is not inherently criminal, and many establishments provide legitimate internet services. The danger arises when a network is poorly secured, falsely presented as a trusted hotspot or exploited by someone seeking to access users’ information.
One potential threat is the interception of inadequately protected communications. An attacker who can monitor vulnerable network traffic may attempt to collect information exchanged between a device and an online service.
Modern banking applications and websites generally use encryption to protect financial communications. This makes it more difficult for an outsider to read properly encrypted information in transit. Nevertheless, encryption does not eliminate every risk, particularly when users connect to fake networks, visit fraudulent websites, ignore security warnings or have malware installed on their devices.
Another threat is the creation of fake Wi-Fi hotspots. A cybercriminal could establish a network with a name resembling that of a hotel, restaurant, airport or shopping centre. An unsuspecting customer might connect to the imitation network, believing it is the establishment’s official internet service.
Depending on how the attack is conducted, the criminal may attempt to redirect users to fraudulent login pages, encourage them to disclose personal information or exploit weaknesses in their devices and browsing sessions.
Users should therefore verify the correct network name with the establishment’s staff instead of assuming that a familiar-looking Wi-Fi name is legitimate.
The Risk of Stolen Passwords and Banking Details
Online banking requires customers to protect sensitive information, including usernames, passwords, card details and authentication codes.
If criminals obtain these credentials through phishing, malware or other forms of deception, they may attempt to gain unauthorised access to financial accounts.
The consequences can include fraudulent transactions, unauthorised account access, identity theft and attempts to impersonate the victim when communicating with a bank or financial service provider.
One-time passwords (OTPs) and other verification codes also require careful handling. Customers should never disclose these codes to strangers or people claiming to represent their banks. Legitimate banking processes may require customers to enter a verification code into an authorised application or website, but users should never share the code directly with another person.
The Nigeria Police Force has recently intensified public cybersecurity awareness efforts. At its 2026 Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign in Abuja, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu urged Nigerians to protect their digital identities, avoid suspicious links and safeguard sensitive financial information, including banking PINs, OTPs and Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs). 【turn277284search3】【turn277284search4】
These precautions remain important regardless of whether a customer is using public Wi-Fi, a private home network or mobile data.
Why a VPN May Help, but Is Not a Complete Solution
A virtual private network, commonly called a VPN, creates an encrypted connection between a user’s device and a VPN service. This can help protect network traffic from being read by other people sharing an insecure local network.
The police warning reported by Akelicious recommends VPN use when public Wi-Fi cannot be avoided. However, users should not interpret this advice as permission to conduct banking transactions on any public network without further precautions. 【turn277284search0】【turn277284search2】
A VPN cannot automatically make a fraudulent banking website legitimate, remove malware from a device or prevent a user from voluntarily handing over credentials to a scammer.
The VPN provider also becomes an important part of the security equation. Users should choose reputable services, avoid suspicious free VPN applications and review the permissions requested by software they install.
For banking transactions, switching to a trusted mobile-data connection is generally the more straightforward precaution when that option is available.
NCC Advises Nigerians to Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Banking
The Nigerian Communications Commission has published internet-banking safety guidance warning users not to log into internet or mobile banking through public Wi-Fi.
The commission also advises customers to enter their bank’s website address directly rather than opening banking pages through links received in messages or emails. This reduces the risk of being redirected to cloned websites designed to steal login details.
In addition, the NCC recommends using two-factor authentication where available, keeping banking applications and device software updated, and maintaining appropriate security settings. 【turn277284search1】【turn277284search5】
These recommendations are relevant because cybersecurity attacks often rely on several weaknesses rather than a single point of failure. An insecure network may increase exposure, but fraudulent links, weak passwords, outdated software and careless disclosure of authentication details can create additional opportunities for criminals.
Customers should therefore treat security as a combination of safe internet connections, reliable devices, careful browsing and responsible handling of personal information.
Practical Steps Nigerians Can Take to Protect Their Money
Bank customers can reduce their exposure to online financial fraud by adopting a few simple habits.
First, use mobile data or a trusted private connection for transfers, bill payments and other sensitive financial activities whenever possible.
Second, confirm the identity of a public Wi-Fi network before connecting. Avoid networks that appear suspicious, request unexpected personal information or have names that cannot be verified with the establishment providing the service.
Third, use official banking applications obtained from trusted app stores or access the bank’s website by typing its verified address directly into the browser. Do not follow unsolicited links that claim to offer banking services, urgent account verification or refunds.
Fourth, protect banking credentials with strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication where available. Never share banking PINs, passwords or OTPs with another person.
Fifth, keep phones, computers, browsers and banking applications updated. Software updates often contain security fixes that address known vulnerabilities.
Sixth, disable automatic connection to unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks and remove saved connections that are no longer needed. Users should also avoid installing unfamiliar applications or accepting unexpected security certificates merely to access a hotspot.
Finally, activate transaction notifications and review account activity regularly. Promptly reporting suspicious transactions or unexpected account alerts to the bank can help initiate the appropriate response.
What to Do if You Have Already Used Public Wi-Fi for Banking
People who have previously accessed their bank accounts over public Wi-Fi should not automatically assume that their accounts have been compromised.
Instead, they should check their transaction history and watch for unfamiliar transfers, changes to account settings or unexpected verification messages. If they suspect that their login details were exposed, they should contact their bank through an official channel, change affected passwords using a trusted connection and follow the bank’s instructions for securing the account.
Customers should never use contact details supplied in a suspicious message to report suspected fraud. They should obtain the bank’s official contact information independently.
If an unauthorised transaction occurs, the customer should notify the bank immediately and preserve relevant transaction references, messages and other evidence. Where appropriate, the incident can also be reported to the relevant law-enforcement authorities.
The speed of reporting matters because the bank may need to investigate the transaction, secure the account and determine what protective measures are available.
Growing Need for Cybersecurity Awareness in Nigeria
Nigeria’s increasing use of digital banking and financial technology has made internet safety an important part of everyday financial management.
While electronic payments offer convenience, criminals can exploit users’ trust, weak security practices and limited awareness to carry out fraud. Public education is therefore an important part of preventing financial crime.
The Nigeria Police Force’s recent cybersecurity campaign has also addressed wider digital threats, including unauthorised access to private accounts, online impersonation, fraudulent payment alerts and the misuse of bank accounts in suspicious transactions. 【turn277284search3】
The NCC’s banking-safety guidance similarly highlights the need to protect passwords, use secure connections and exercise caution when opening banking websites. 【turn277284search1】
These warnings underline the importance of individual responsibility alongside the security measures provided by banks, telecommunications operators and digital-service providers.
Conclusion
The police warning about public Wi-Fi highlights a practical risk facing Nigerians who conduct financial transactions online. Free internet access can be convenient, but users may have limited knowledge of the network’s security or who controls it.
Avoiding public Wi-Fi for banking, using trusted mobile data, verifying website addresses, protecting authentication codes and keeping devices updated can reduce exposure to cybercrime.
The key message for bank customers is straightforward: convenience should never come at the expense of financial security. A few extra seconds spent choosing a trusted connection can help prevent avoidable risks to personal and banking information.
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