L.A. County launches app to protect commuters surfing public Wi-Fi from cybercriminals

Before the internet, pickpockets deftly swiped wallets—stealing money and identities—via slight-of-hand and distraction. These days, it’s a little more discreet. Cybercriminals do the same by remotely positioning themselves between unsuspecting commuters browsing social media sites and public Wi-Fi networks.

But just as criminal methods have digitized in the 21st century, so also have defense mechanisms. An app developed by those at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and the City of Los Angeles, for example, helps to protect metro riders from increasing cybersecurity threats without an increased police presence.

The free app, “LA Secure,” is available on Apple iOS and Android platforms and alerts browsers to cyberthreats—such as someone that’s attempting to access their device—in real time, offering information about what to do about those threats.

“Providing a safe and secure environment for Los Angeles County’s 10 million residents to live and work is becoming just as important online as it has always been offline,” said Hilda Solis, chair of the authority’s Metro Board in a statement. “As L.A. County continues to expand public Wi-Fi access, including on its entire fleet of Metro buses, LA Secure offers an industry-leading technology to ensure all the activity they conduct on their mobile devices remains safe, private and secure.” 

The app’s development is part of a broader effort by the transportation authority to improve and protect customer experience, according to a brief about the initiative. Other advancements include one that continuously validates web connections made via mobile devices, enabling users to securely shop online, complete work, use social media, check on connecting buses or trains and contact loved ones in case of an emergency.  

Notably, all of L.A. County’s more than 2,300 transit buses offer free public Wi-Fi access to commuters and riders.  

Given the prevalence of accessible Wi-Fi on publicly owned transportation, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said local and county governments have “a responsibility to protect residents in both the physical and the digital realms—and it’s a responsibility we take very seriously,”  

Beyond the borders of Los Angeles, the brief highlights that cybercriminals are increasingly targeting mobile devices everywhere “because they do not yet have the protection available on most desktop or laptop computers. New and constantly evolving threats require patches and updates to mobile operating systems that many users don’t consistently install. And in some cases, hardware limitations on dated devices can prevent any future updates, leaving them perpetually vulnerable.” 

Along with that, in part because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, more people than ever depend on their mobile devices daily. Today, nearly half of all web traffic in the United States originates from mobile devices. There’s also an equity component that’s behind the initiative in L.A. 

“We see LA Secure as another opportunity to provide greater access and equity for our transit customers, many of whom are low-income, do not have their own access to Internet services and depend greatly on public Wi-Fi services,” said Stephanie Wiggins, Metro’s CEO. “We believe everyone deserves to have a secure online experience on our system and look forward to promoting privacy protections available through this important program.” 

LA Secure was developed by Zimperium, a mobile security and protection firm, and is available to download in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.