Question:

I’ve noticed that my phone only contains the default certificates and there are no additional profiles under the VPN and device management settings. Even when introducing a second phone to the network, no prompts for certificate trust were presented, nor were any new certificates or profiles installed.

Furthermore, there have been instances where accessing HTTPS websites resulted in security warnings, preventing further navigation.

In such circumstances, would my HTTPS traffic merely display the primary domain (e.g., Reddit.com) without revealing specific browsing details? Is there a risk that sensitive information, such as banking credentials or passwords, could be exposed?”

Answer:

When you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, such as the guest network at your workplace, your device’s security is of paramount importance. The presence of default certificates and the absence of additional profiles under the VPN and device management settings is a typical scenario for most personal devices. The fact that no new certificates or profiles were installed when you connected a second phone to the network suggests that the network does not employ enterprise-level device management or monitoring solutions that require such certificates.

However, the lack of prompts for certificate trust or the installation of new certificates does not necessarily mean that your traffic is not being monitored or that it is entirely secure. Public Wi-Fi networks can be vulnerable to various security threats, including Man-in-the-Middle (MiTM) attacks, where an attacker intercepts the communication between your device and the internet.

Regarding your HTTPS traffic, under normal circumstances, HTTPS encrypts the data between your browser and the web server, ensuring that the content of your browsing remains private. This means that while the network administrators may see the primary domain you are visiting (e.g., Reddit.com), they should not be able to see the specific pages or the content you are viewing.

However, security warnings on HTTPS sites indicate that there could be issues with the site’s SSL certificate, which is a red flag for potential security risks. It’s possible that these warnings are the result of an attempted MiTM attack, where an attacker is trying to intercept your encrypted traffic. If the SSL certificate cannot be verified, there is a risk that the encryption could be compromised, potentially exposing sensitive information like passwords or banking details.

To protect your information:

• Always heed security warnings and avoid proceeding to websites that cannot establish a secure connection.
• Consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when browsing on public Wi-Fi to encrypt your traffic and hide your browsing activity from network administrators and potential attackers.
• Keep your device’s software up-to-date to ensure you have the latest security patches.

In

conclusion, while HTTPS does provide a layer of security for your browsing activity, it is not infallible, especially on public networks where the risk of interception is higher. It’s crucial to take proactive steps to safeguard your data and be cautious of the networks you connect to.