In Nigeria, the message carries more weight because internet penetration has surged in recent years, with more than 103 million users recorded by late 2025.

With banking, shopping and social interaction moving online, cyber criminals are following at the same pace.

Data from Interpol show that phishing and online scams are the most common cyber threats across Africa. Nigeria ranks among the top three countries affected, largely due to rapid digital adoption that has overtaken security awareness.

Financial institutions regularly report heavy losses linked to online fraud. Today, attackers are no longer focusing only on corporate systems. They are targeting everyday devices, smartphones, laptops and even home Wi-Fi routers.

How Phones Are Being Targeted

Smartphones are prime targets because they store personal data, banking apps and social media accounts. For many Nigerians, the phone is the main gateway to the internet.

Mobile banking fraud accounts for a large share of reported cyber incidents. Fraud attempts have risen alongside the growth of digital payment platforms.

Criminals use fake apps, deceptive pop-ups and bogus software updates to trick users into installing malicious programs.

Some of these apps imitate trusted banking or shopping platforms. Once installed, they steal login details or secretly install malware.

Phishing messages remain widespread. Fraudsters send emails or text messages posing as banks, telecom providers or even friends. These messages often create panic or urgency, urging victims to click a link or share a one-time password.

SMS phishing, known as smishing, and SIM-swap fraud have become common in Nigeria. In many cases, victims lose access to their mobile lines, giving criminals a pathway into their bank accounts.

How Laptops Are Being Attacked

Laptops face similar risks, usually through email attachments or infected downloads. A single click on a compromised file can introduce ransomware or spyware into a system.

Email continues to be a key channel for phishing. Attackers disguise malicious attachments as invoices, job offers or official notices. Once opened, the malware can steal sensitive data or lock files until a ransom is paid.

Public Wi-Fi networks add another layer of risk. In cafes, airports and shared workspaces, unsecured connections can allow attackers to intercept data through what experts call “man-in-the-middle” attacks. Passwords, emails and financial information can be exposed without the user knowing.

Remote work and online learning are expanding across urban centres in Nigeria, and more people are connecting from outside secure home networks, increasing their vulnerability.

Why Wi-Fi Routers Are a Major Target

Wi-Fi routers are constantly overlooked, but they connect every device in a home or office. Once compromised, a router can give criminals access to all traffic passing through it.

Research by Broadband Genie indicates that about 86% of users do not change their router’s default administrator password. Default logins such as “admin” are widely known and easy to exploit.

Router breaches can be difficult to detect. Attackers may quietly monitor internet traffic, redirect users to fake websites or spread malware to connected devices. In some cases, compromised routers are added to botnets used for larger cyber attacks.

In Nigeria, where many households rely on basic router setups, a single weak password can expose phones, laptops and other smart devices on the same network.

Staying Safe Online

Cybersecurity experts say simple steps can reduce exposure to these threats.

For smartphones, users are advised to download apps only from official stores such as Google Play and the App Store. Avoid clicking unknown links, enable two-factor authentication and keep devices updated.

Laptop users should install reputable security software, avoid suspicious downloads and refrain from conducting sensitive transactions on public Wi-Fi without additional protection. Strong, unique passwords remain essential.

For routers, changing default login details is critical. Remote management features should be disabled if not needed, and firmware updates installed regularly.

Safer Internet Day reminds us that online safety is not only a government or corporate responsibility and everyday habits can make the difference between staying secure and becoming a victim.

The post How Cyber Threats Are Targeting Phones, Laptops & Wi-Fi Routers appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

With the surge in holiday shopping and travel, financial institutions across the country, including heavyweights like Access Bank, are warning customers that cybercriminals are currently working overtime.

Here is a breakdown of why that public connection is a “no-go” for your banking app and how you can stay protected.

The Invisible Thief: How it Happens

It feels convenient to check your balance or make a quick transfer while waiting for a flight or sipping coffee at a café.

However, cybersecurity experts warn that public Wi-Fi networks in airports, hotels, and restaurants are often unsecured.

Criminals use a technique called a “man-in-the-middle” attack. In simple terms, they position themselves between your device and the bank’s server.

While you think you’re communicating directly with your bank, the hacker is actually intercepting every piece of data you send, including your login credentials, PINs, and OTPs.

Why the Holiday Season is “Peak Season” for Fraud

Data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) shows that digital fraud losses already run into tens of billions of Naira annually.

These numbers typically spike during the Christmas and New Year period because:

• High Transaction Volume: People are spending more, making it easier for a single fraudulent transaction to get lost in the noise.
• Distraction: In the rush of holiday travel and celebrations, users are less likely to double-check the security of their connection.
• Social Engineering: Scammers pair technical hacks with “tempting offers” and urgent messages to trick users into lowering their guard.

Practical Tips to Protect Your Money

Banks are emphasizing that while they invest heavily in security infrastructure, the ultimate “line of defense” is the customer.

To keep your accounts safe this season:

1. Ditch the Public Wi-Fi: Always use your mobile data (3G/4G/5G) or a trusted, password-protected private network for any financial transactions.
2. Verify via Official Apps: Instead of relying on SMS alerts alone (which can be faked), use your official banking app (like AccessMore) to verify transaction history.
3. The “Big Three” Rule: Never share your PIN, OTP, or CVV with anyone. No legitimate bank official will ever ask for these.
4. Know the Kill Switch: Memorize your bank’s USSD “block” code. For Access Bank, for instance, it is *901*911#. If you suspect your phone or account has been compromised, use it immediately to freeze your funds.

The Bottom Line

As Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso recently noted, the future of Nigeria’s digital economy relies on a balance between innovation and security. While digital banking makes life easier, it requires constant vigilance.

This holiday, don’t let a “free” internet connection turn your festive cheer into a financial nightmare. When it comes to your bank account, privacy is more valuable than convenience.

The post The Dangers of Using Public Wi-fi for Financial Transactions appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The report offers best practice advice on developing a venue’s business case for public Wi-Fi, including how to improve user engagement with the use of OpenRoaming and Passpoint technology over legacy captive portal Wi-Fi.

User engagement is a critical element of public Wi-Fi provision. Venues need to understand the users who are connecting to their public Wi-Fi network, as they have a variety of needs ranging from regulatory compliance to commercial models that necessitate engagement.

Likewise, users need to be able to use and interact with the Wi-Fi and with the brand that is providing the Wi-Fi.

Unlike captive portals, once a device has been successfully onboarded to an OpenRoaming/Passpoint compliant network, the connection is more secure and future connections will be automatic, while still retaining the ability for venues and network owners to engage with users.

For venues and public Wi-Fi network owners looking to improve engagement with users, the report highlights best practice advice on establishing user needs, network requirements, processes flows, onboarding and device provisioning.

Drivers for aiming for better user engagement

The report underscores the critical need for industry stakeholders to prioritize user engagement in Wi-Fi network design and operation.

By understanding and addressing the requirements of both venues and users, businesses can enhance the overall user experience, reduce costs, and unlock new revenue opportunities.

The benefits for operators and venues that improve user engagement include:

• Cost Reduction & Cost Control: Implementing efficient onboarding processes and standardized interfaces can help reduce the costs associated with managing and maintaining Wi-Fi networks, especially for venues with high user traffic.
• Increased Revenue Opportunities: By offering seamless and engaging user experiences, venues can attract more users, leading to potential revenue streams through advertising, pay-as-you-go models, or partnerships with third parties and roaming services. For instance, the adoption of OpenRoaming facilitates continuous Wi-Fi connectivity in stores and retail environments, significantly enhancing the shopping experience. It allows customers to seamlessly connect without manual logins, paving the way for real-time promotions and communications that engage customers instantly, without the need for portal logins.
• Regulatory Compliance: Understanding and implementing best practices for user engagement can help industry players comply with regulatory requirements related to user privacy, data protection, and network security. For example, certain regulatory bodies and governments mandate that service providers require users to register for Wi-Fi access. This registration helps criminal investigations trace activities where needed. OpenRoaming streamlines this process by enabling automated login once a profile is downloaded.
• Competitive Advantage: Industry players that excel in user engagement and provide a seamless Wi-Fi experience can gain a competitive edge in the market, attracting more customers and partners.
• Wi-Fi roaming: Facilitated by the WBA’s OpenRoaming Federation, Wi-Fi roaming offers venues a valuable revenue stream and enhanced user experience. It simplifies Wi-Fi connectivity for users, ensuring secure network access and increasing customer satisfaction. Roaming can also be a form of user exchange, allowing seamless connectivity across partnerships, enriching and simplifying the user experience. GDPR guidelines are implemented in OpenRoaming, ensuring customer data privacy and security, which is crucial for maintaining trust and compliance.

Tiago Rodrigues, CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, said:

“This report underscores the critical need for industry stakeholders to prioritize user engagement in Wi-Fi network design and operation. By understanding and addressing the requirements of both venues and users, businesses can enhance the overall user experience, reduce costs, and unlock new revenue opportunities.  WBA encourages industry players to consider the best practices identified in the report with different business models applicable to their public Wi-Fi deployment. Enhancing the user journey and user engagement in Wi-Fi networks can ultimately improve the overall user experience and drive business success.”

The report includes insights from industry experts from GlobalReach Technology, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Cityroam, Google, Marriott International, Single Digits, and other WBA members.

Thomas Locke, chief technology officer, GlobalReach Technology, said: 

“Due to the continued success of OpenRoaming and the wider market adoption of technologies like Passpoint, users are now increasingly connecting seamlessly and securely to public Wi-Fi networks. That being said, the desire for brands and users to interact in real-time on a proximity-based level has never been stronger. This report outlines the best practices for brands to offer an enhanced user experience through direct engagement via a secure Passpoint based public Wi-Fi network.”

Ben Roberts, Group Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, 

“Public Wi-Fi business cases are uniquely challenging in emerging markets, and success requires balancing the needs of the Wi-Fi users with those of the network owner. Technology changes all the time; one such example being the emergence of more devices that support Passpoint. These changes open up possibilities for network owners to consider new forms of user engagement. This report provides a reference for network owners and venues to understand the tools available to them to best achieve their business goals while optimizing the user experience.”

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