One of the major risks facing users today is cybercrime, a phenomenon that has grown in recent years due to technological advances. Criminals now only need a computer, a mobile phone and some data to carry out their attacks, with the primary goal of stealing money and information that enables various forms of digital fraud.
While much attention has been paid to deception tactics such as emotional manipulation, phishing, fake prizes, and fraudulent online purchases, a key aspect often overlooked is that certain mobile phone functions can become the perfect hook for these crimes. One of them is geolocation.
According to the National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE), geolocation is the ability to locate a device using GPS, Wi-Fi, or mobile networks. This technology is used in services like maps, weather forecasts, social media, and package tracking. However, it can as well affect privacy by enabling the recording of habits and movements, which facilitates the creation of detailed user profiles that may be used for advertising or even surveillance purposes.
Experts warn that keeping Wi-Fi enabled outside the home allows devices to connect automatically to unknown or public networks without user consent, often without visible notifications. This makes smartphones simple targets for silent attacks in places like cafés, airports, or shopping centers, where free Wi-Fi networks such as “FreeAirportWiFi” or “Café_Gratis” may be fake networks created by cybercriminals to steal data or gain control of devices.
To reduce risk, cybersecurity specialists recommend turning off Wi-Fi when leaving the house. While manually toggling this setting can be tedious, automation methods are available to help users maintain protection without constant manual intervention.
