Protect: secure Wi-Fi connections
Why do I need Wi-Fi protection?
Encryption is not usually used in public Wi-Fi access points (for example, in airports or cafes). Anybody who is using a laptop or a smartphone near you could intercept or replace your personal data or read your emails.
The Protect system in Yandex Browser uses a proprietary method for securing Wi-Fi connections. This mechanism is implemented in the desktop version of Yandex.Browser, as well as in the mobile version for smartphones and tablets running on Android.
When secure Wi-Fi is enabled, data sent over the internet passes through a special encrypted channel. The data transfer rate may be slightly slower, because the page is sent to the Yandex encryption server before it is returned to the user.
Enable protection
As soon as the user connects to an unsecure network, the browser automatically secures the wireless connection.
After Wi-Fi protection is enabled, one of the following icons will display in the SmartBox:
Icon | Description |
---|---|
![]() | Wi-Fi protection is enabled. |
| Protection is enabled, but some elements of the page (for example, images or video) cannot pass through a secured channel. |
![]() | Yandex servers are temporarily unavailable or Yandex can't access the website (for example, a corporate site). If you are not on a secured corporate website, avoid transferring confidential information or banking data until Wi-Fi protection is restored. |
Icon | Description |
---|---|
![]() | Wi-Fi protection is enabled. |
| Protection is enabled, but some elements of the page (for example, images or video) cannot pass through a secured channel. |
![]() | Yandex servers are temporarily unavailable or Yandex can't access the website (for example, a corporate site). If you are not on a secured corporate website, avoid transferring confidential information or banking data until Wi-Fi protection is restored. |
Wi-Fi encryption settings for your home network
If you are connected to your home Wi-Fi and see a Yandex Browser alert about an unsecured network, it means that the protection algorithm used by your router is not secure enough.
On an unsecured home network, Yandex Browser will enable Wi-Fi protection automatically. In this case data exchange speed can slow down because the data is passing through a secured channel. You can avoid this by configuring router encryption:
- Open the web interface for managing the router.
- Go to your security settings.
- Set WPA2 or WPA2-PSK network authentication type.
For more detailed recommendations, please refer to your router's user manual.
Disable protection
To disable Wi-Fi protection temporarily until you restart your browser:
- In the SmartBox, click the
icon.
- In the window that opens, change the setting to Off next to Secured Wi-Fi.
After doing this, your data will stop passing through a secured channel, but the unsecured Wi-Fi alert will still be shown in the SmartBox.
To disable Wi-Fi protection completely, including alerts in the SmartBox:
- Tap .
- Go to the Security tab at the top of the page.
- In the Secure connection section, deselect the Use encryption when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks option.