Question

Chloe works as a web content editor. She likes to work out of various cafes and uses free WiFi that they provide to access the Internet. Chloe's company, however, is concerned about the security of these networks. Which of the following steps can ensure that Chloe's activities on her computer remain encrypted?

A. Her firm should advise her work out of a specific cafe, to be able to use only one connection, rather than working out of different ones
B. She should encrypt the free WiFi that she uses at cafes, before starting to work
C. Her firm should use virtual private network (VPN) to provide her secure access
D. She should connect her smartphone to public WiFi, and then create a hotspot on it which she can use to access the Internet on her laptop

Answer 1

Using a VPN is the most effective way for Chloe to ensure her computer activities are encrypted while using public WiFi at cafes. Other security measures are supplementary but do not replace the encryption a VPN provides.

Step-by-step explanation:

For Chloe to ensure her activities remain encrypted and secure while working from different cafes, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is the most efficient method. A VPN creates a secure tunnel between her computer and the internet, encrypting all data traffic, which makes it difficult for anyone else on the network to eavesdrop on her activities. This is a solution that can be implemented by her company to provide secure access to their network and protect sensitive information.

Alternatively, the company could implement other security measures like two-factor authentication and using stronger passwords, along with educating employees about potential scams. However, these measures do not directly encrypt the data sent over a free WiFi network, which is the main concern for Chloe's situation.

Merely choosing one specific cafe or turning her smartphone into a hotspot would not provide encryption and could still leave her vulnerable to security risks. Therefore, the most recommended course of action is the usage of VPN services.