Google issues a stern warning to those using public Wi-Fi: Connecting your phone to it could lead to a major scandal.

Tech giant Google has warned those using public Wi-Fi. The company says that this unsecured network can be a potential target for cybercriminals.

If you're among those who use public Wi-Fi at railway stations, airports, cafes, and shopping malls, you need to think twice. Tech giant Google has issued a warning to those using public Wi-Fi. Google says this gives cybercriminals an opportunity to trap people. They can exploit the unsecured network of public Wi-Fi and steal sensitive information like bank account logins, personal data, and private chats.

Don't do these things on public Wi-Fi.

Google highlighted this threat in its latest Android: Behind the Screen report. The report states that the threat of public Wi-Fi has increased amid rising mobile fraud cases. The company recommends avoiding public Wi-Fi when banking, online shopping, or accessing accounts containing financial or personal details. It also advises disabling the auto-connect setting and verifying that any network is encrypted before connecting to it.

$400 billion lost to cybercrime

Google's warning comes at a time when cybercrime is rapidly increasing in the country and the world. Google says that mobile scams have become a global underground industry, causing financial and emotional harm to people. Google's report estimates that cybercrime has cost people worldwide $400 billion in losses in the past year, with only a fraction of this loss recovered. The tech giant says that cybercriminals are now operating in a highly organized and business-like manner. They are committing fraud through methods like buying stolen phone numbers and sending fake delivery alerts.