Question

Which of these scenarios most puts Margaret at risk of identity theft?

Margaret manages her bank account through its website while using a restaurant’s public wifi.
Margaret manages her bank account by calling her bank directly and using personal information for identification.
Margaret manages her bank account by visiting a local branch and signing paperwork for the bank teller.
Margaret manages her bank account by keeping personal records to compare to the bank’s records.

Answer 1

Managing her bank account through the bank’s website while on a restaurant’s public Wi‑Fi.

Public/open Wi‑Fi is easily intercepted (rogue hotspots, man‑in‑the‑middle attacks), so logging into sensitive accounts there exposes credentials and session data. Safer options: use cellular data or a trusted private network, enable strong passwords and two‑factor authentication, keep software up to date, or use a reputable VPN when you must use public Wi‑Fi.