Govt declares Wi-Fi networks unsafe, issues advisory

Islamabad: The National Information Technology Board (NITB) has issued an advisory highlighting cybersecurity threats associated with wireless networks.

The advisory urges all institutions to adopt safety measures while using Wi-Fi networks to mitigate risks.

The advisory warns that due to default security configurations and lack of user awareness, malicious actors can gain unauthorized access to networks or systems, install malware, and steal sensitive information.

Replace default usernames and passwords with strong and unique ones for router access through web or CLI interfaces, the advisory said.

Adopt WPA3 protocol to enhance security and ensure passwords are complex and lengthy.

The users have been advised to regularly update and conceal the Wi-Fi network name to prevent unauthorized access.

Institutions are advised to implement these measures to safeguard sensitive data and minimize cyber risks.