Public WiFiSafety GuideCafeAirportHotelVPN ProtectionPublic WiFiSafety GuideCafeAirportHotelVPN Protection

Public
WiFi

Safety Checklist · What to Avoid · Essential Tools

Safety Checklist

Threat Level by Location

LocationRiskCommon Attack
AirportHighEvil twin (fake network), man-in-middle
Coffee ShopHighPacket sniffing, session hijacking
HotelMediumDNS spoofing, monitoring
LibraryMediumEavesdropping, logging
Workplace guest WiFiLow-MedIT monitoring
Phone hotspot (your own)LowMinimal (you control it)

Never Do on Public WiFi (Without VPN)

ActionRisk
Online bankingCredentials intercepted
Enter credit card infoCard number captured
Log into emailFull account access
Access work systemsCorporate data exposed
Social media loginAccount takeover
File sharing / AirDropReceive malicious files

Essential Tools

ToolWhyCost
VPNEncrypts all traffic$3-8/mo
HTTPS EverywhereForces HTTPS connectionsFree (built into browsers now)
Firewall (on)Blocks incoming connectionsBuilt into OS
Password ManagerPrevents typing passwordsFree-$3/mo