Public WiFi Safety
Hotel, cafe, airport WiFi without getting hacked.
Why public WiFi is risky
- Anyone on same network can sometimes intercept data.
- Fake hotspots called "evil twin" mimic real ones.
- Hotels + airports common attack targets.
- Risk especially high for banking + email.
- HTTPS sites mostly safe (most are now).
- Better safe than sorry.
Safe practices
- Never bank on public WiFi without VPN.
- Use cell data instead when possible.
- Hotspot from your phone if needed.
- Look for HTTPS lock icon in browser.
- Never click public WiFi captive page errors.
- Disable auto-connect to known WiFi.
VPN protects you
- VPN encrypts everything.
- Even on hostile WiFi, traffic safe.
- Especially for banking, email, sensitive info.
- NordVPN $5/month — worth it for travelers.
- Proton VPN free tier good option.
- Always-on with VPN = peace of mind.
Cellular hotspot
- Use phone's data plan via hotspot.
- Settings → Personal Hotspot.
- Connect laptop to phone's WiFi.
- Cellular safer than public WiFi.
- Watch data usage on limited plans.
- Better than risky hotel WiFi.
Verify network name
- Ask staff what hotel WiFi is called.
- Don't trust generic-named networks.
- "Free Public WiFi" — often fake.
- Verify exact spelling matches official.
- Some hotels have multiple — pick official.
- Hackers create fake networks.
After traveling
- Forget hotel + airport WiFi networks.
- Settings → Wi-Fi → tap network → Forget.
- Prevents auto-reconnect later.
- Run Malwarebytes scan after risky use.
- Change passwords if used unsecured.
- Monitor accounts for suspicious activity.
VPN if you travel
If you travel even occasionally — hotel stays, airport waiting, vacation — a $5/month VPN like NordVPN is worth the peace of mind. Banking from a hotel without VPN is risky. With VPN it's safe. Set it to auto-connect on unknown networks. One simple subscription that protects all your devices for travel.