How to Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi in Airports and Hotels

Traveling often means relying on public Wi-Fi — whether it’s at airports while waiting for your flight or in hotels when you finally settle into your room. It’s convenient, fast, and free. But there’s one huge problem: public Wi-Fi is one of the least secure ways to connect to the internet.

As someone who works remotely while traveling, I’ve learned this the hard way. A few years ago, while waiting for a connecting flight in Frankfurt, I connected to the airport Wi-Fi to quickly check my email. Within minutes, my inbox was flooded with strange login alerts. That was my wake-up call — and since then, I’ve taken digital security as seriously as my passport.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to stay safe on public Wi-Fi in airports and hotels, the tools you should use, the mistakes you must avoid, and the cybersecurity habits that protect your personal data — even on networks you don’t control.

This article is written for travelers, digital nomads, and anyone using connected devices abroad — and it contains practical steps you can apply immediately.

Why Public Wi-Fi in Airports and Hotels Is So Dangerous

Public networks are convenient, but they are built for mass access — not security. Here’s what makes them risky:

1. Unencrypted Connections

Many public Wi-Fi networks don’t use modern encryption, which means:

• Anyone nearby can intercept your data

• Your passwords, browsing history, and messages can be exposed

• Hackers can monitor your online activity in real time

2. Fake or “Evil Twin” Networks

Cybercriminals often create Wi-Fi networks that look legitimate:

• “Airport Free Wi-Fi”

• “Hotel Guest Connection”

• “Lounge Premium Wi-Fi”

If you connect, they gain full access to your device traffic.

3. Shared Networks = Shared Risks

Dozens or hundreds of people connect to airport and hotel Wi-Fi at the same time.

This increases:

• Malware spread

• Snooping

• Device exposure

• Man-in-the-middle attacks

4. Automatic Connections

Your phone may automatically connect to previously used networks — including unsafe ones.

How to Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi

Below are the most important cybersecurity steps every traveler should follow. These are simple, fast, and effective — and they will protect your data anywhere around the world.

1. Use a VPN Every Time You Connect

This is the most important rule.

A VPN encrypts your entire internet connection, even on unsafe public Wi-Fi. It protects you from:

• Hackers on the network

• Fake Wi-Fi hotspots

• Traffic monitoring

• Stolen passwords

When I travel, I connect my VPN before I even select the Wi-Fi network. It has saved me countless times.

2. Turn Off File Sharing and AirDrop

File sharing features (AirDrop, AirPlay, Bluetooth sharing, Windows file sharing) can expose your device to strangers.

Before connecting to public Wi-Fi:

• Turn off AirDrop

• Disable Bluetooth sharing

• Disable file sharing

• Disable “Nearby Sharing” on Windows

This closes easy access points hackers love to exploit.

3. Use Your Mobile Hotspot When Possible

Your smartphone hotspot is significantly safer than airport or hotel Wi-Fi.

Use a hotspot when:

• Logging into banking apps

• Making online purchases

• Accessing sensitive documents

• Sending private information

Bonus tip: eSIM services like Airalo make international data easy and affordable. I often switch to my hotspot when I feel the Wi-Fi is too risky.

4. Forget Public Networks After Using Them

Never allow your device to automatically reconnect.

After disconnecting:

• Go to your Wi-Fi settings

• Select the network

• Tap “Forget This Network”

This prevents accidental connections.

5. Avoid Logging Into Important Accounts

When you are on public Wi-Fi:

• avoid banking

• avoid email logins

• avoid accessing personal documents

• avoid using saved passwords

If you must log in → use a VPN + 2FA.

6. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

2FA adds a secure layer that prevents unauthorized access even if someone steals your password through Wi-Fi monitoring.

Use it for:

• Email

• Bank accounts

• Social media

• Cloud storage

7. Keep Your Device Updated

Software updates patch security holes that hackers exploit.

Before traveling:

• Update your OS

• Update your apps

• Update your browser

• Update your antivirus

This is one of the most underrated cybersecurity steps.

8. Use HTTPS Websites Only

Never enter personal information on websites that don’t use HTTPS.

Look for:

• Lock icon in the URL bar

• URL starting with "https://"

Without HTTPS, your data is visible to anyone on the network.

9. Use a Safe Browser and Private Mode

Use secure browsers like:

• Brave

• Firefox

• Safari

• Chrome with security settings enabled

Turn on:

• Private mode

• Tracker blocking

• Pop-up blocking

10. Buy a Travel Privacy Screen

In airports and hotels, people sit behind, beside, and above you — especially in airport lounges.

A privacy screen protects you from:

• Shoulder surfing

• Password stealing

• Screen spying

Small detail, huge protection.

My Personal Experience: What Finally Made Me Change My Digital Habits

A few years ago, in a hotel lobby in Milan, I connected to what I thought was the official guest Wi-Fi. Minutes later, my Instagram account logged me out, and I couldn’t get back in — someone had accessed it.

It took me three days to recover the account.

That incident changed everything. Since then:

• I use a VPN every time

• I never log into important accounts on public networks

• I prefer hotspots or eSIMs

• I forget every network after using it

These small habits make travel stress-free — knowing your data is safe is priceless.

FAQ

Is airport Wi-Fi safe?

Not really. Airport Wi-Fi is public, unsecured, and often monitored by hackers. Always use a VPN.

Can hotels see what I do on their Wi-Fi?

Yes. Hotel networks can track browsing activity unless you use a VPN.

Is a VPN enough to protect me on public Wi-Fi?

A VPN encrypts your connection, which is the most important layer of protection. Combined with safe browsing habits, it's very effective.

Should I use mobile data instead of public Wi-Fi?

Yes. Mobile data is significantly safer. Even better if you're using an eSIM with encrypted carrier networks.

What is the biggest mistake travelers make?

Logging into banking apps or entering passwords on unsecured networks.