← Years 5–6 Digital Systems

Using public Wi-Fi safely

Data sent over public Wi-Fi can be seen by others, so avoid logging in or paying there. Use mobile data instead for sensitive tasks.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems & Security — Module 49, 7-8 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 43, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Staying Safe Online — Module 28, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Digital Footprints — Module 36, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Networks and Cyber Threats — Module 33

Understanding Using public Wi-Fi safely in Years 5–6 Digital Systems

What it does: The code skips logins and payments on a public network, which matches the idea of avoiding sensitive tasks there. Switching to mobile data for banking shows the safer alternative to public Wi-Fi. Free does not mean safe. Passwords you type on public Wi-Fi could be seen by others, so avoid logging in there. An open network has no password, so other people on it may be able to see the data you send.

Common mistakes: The warning should show when the Wi-Fi is open. The condition should be 'if is_open:', not 'if not is_open:'. The text open must be in quotes so it is a string. Without quotes Python looks for a variable called open. It should be network = "open".

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 41–52) and word search (Modules 21–52).

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Learning
Duo
Data sent over public Wi-Fi can be seen by other people on the same network.
FalseTrue
Matches
connect("Cafe_Free_WiFi") login("bank")
↓
Logging in to a bank account on an open public Wi-Fi network means others could see the login details.
Applying
Meanings
Term
public Wi-Fi risk
Meaning
Data sent over public Wi-Fi can be seen by others, so avoid logging in or paying there. Use mobile data instead for sensitive tasks.
Practice
IF wifi is open or public THEN
Testing
Gaps
wifi == "public":
Check Answer
Spots
2is_open = True
3if not is_open:

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Quick Questions

1. Data sent over public Wi-Fi can be seen by other people on the same network.
A. True ✓
B. False
On a public network, others may be able to spy on the data your device sends, so be careful what you do there.
2. Which is the safer choice at a cafe using public Wi-Fi?
A. Log in to your bank account to check your balance
B. Avoid logging in to important accounts ✓
Logging in sends private details across a network that others may be watching, so sensitive tasks should be avoided.
3. Which Wi-Fi network is usually safer to use?
A. An open network that anyone can join with no password
B. A network that needs a password ✓
Password-protected Wi-Fi limits who can join. Open Wi-Fi lets anyone connect, which makes it riskier. Even so, you should still be careful with sensitive tasks.
4. You need to pay for an online order while out and about. What should you do?
A. Use mobile data instead of public Wi-Fi ✓
B. Connect to the free airport Wi-Fi and enter your card details
Mobile data is a safer alternative to public Wi-Fi for payments and other sensitive tasks.
5. Public Wi-Fi is fine for entering passwords because the network is free.
A. False ✓
B. True
Free does not mean safe. Passwords you type on public Wi-Fi could be seen by others, so avoid logging in there.

Match the Pairs

Free Wi-Fi, no password → An open network that anyone nearby can join, so data sent over it can be seen by others
Wi-Fi with a password (WPA2) → A password-protected network that is safer than an open one, though it is still shared with other people
Avoid logging in or paying on public Wi-Fi because others may see your data → if network == "public": skip(login, payment)
Use mobile data as a safer choice for sensitive tasks when away from home → if task == "banking": connect("mobile data")
connect("Cafe_Free_WiFi") login("bank") → Logging in to a bank account on an open public Wi-Fi network means others could see the login details.
if wifi == "public": pay("online shop") → Making a payment on public Wi-Fi is risky because card details sent over it could be seen by others.

Key Term

public Wi-Fi risk
Data sent over public Wi-Fi can be seen by others, so avoid logging in or paying there. Use mobile data instead for sensitive tasks.

Fill in the Blanks

1. if wifi == "public": print("Use mobile data")
Hint: Type the keyword that starts a condition.
2. if wifi == "public": login = False
Hint: Type the operator that checks whether two values are equal.
3. wifi = "public" login = False payment = False
Hint: Type the Boolean value that stops logging in on public Wi-Fi.
4. wifi = "public" mobile = True print("Pay using mobile data")
Hint: Type the Boolean value that turns on the safer option for sensitive tasks.
5. if task == "login" or task == "payment": print("Do not use public Wi-Fi")
Hint: Type the logical word that means either sensitive task counts.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A wifi = "Cafe_Free"
B is_open = True
C if not is_open:
D print("Avoid logins")
Line C — The warning should show when the Wi-Fi is open. The condition should be 'if is_open:', not 'if not is_open:'.
Question 2
A network = open
B if network == "open":
C use_mobile_data = True
Line A — The text open must be in quotes so it is a string. Without quotes Python looks for a variable called open. It should be network = "open".
Question 3
A task = "payment"
B on_public = true
C if on_public:
D print("Use mobile data")
Line B — In Python the Boolean value must be written with a capital T. It should be on_public = True.
Question 4
A public = True
B paying = True
C elif public and paying:
D print("Use mobile data")
Line C — An elif cannot start a decision without an if before it. The line should begin with if: 'if public and paying:'.
Question 5
A def check_wifi(open_wifi)
B if open_wifi:
C return "Risky"
D return "Safer"
Line A — A function definition must end with a colon. It should be 'def check_wifi(open_wifi):'.

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