Wi-Fi VPN: how to stay safe on public Wi-Fi networks

Public Wi-Fi is convenient, especially when traveling, but open networks are often unsecured. That free airport hotspot you connect to while waiting for a flight can expose your data to cyberthreats. However, you can help keep it safe by connecting to a VPN (Virtual Private Network) — it encrypts your traffic, making it unreadable to any outsider trying to intercept.

In this guide, you’ll learn more about staying secure on public Wi-Fi with a VPN, so read along.

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What are the risks of public Wi-Fi?

You can never know who might be monitoring your internet traffic on a public Wi-Fi network, since data on these connections is often unencrypted. This means network security can be easily compromised, making it simple for snoopers to intercept your activity.

Let’s go over some of their tricks:

1. MITM (Man-in-the-Middle) attacks — hackers interrupt your connection and secretly intercept your traffic. They collect your activity data, which can then be sold, misused, or used in phishing schemes.
2. Evil twin attacks — hackers set up fake Wi-Fi hotspots that look like legitimate public Wi-Fi networks in the area. 
   For example, if you’re in a Starbucks and see two Wi-Fi networks — one named Starbucks and the other Starbucks-for-customers — one could be set up by a hacker looking to trick you into connecting so they can steal your information.
3. Cookie theft — cybercriminals target cookies just as much as traffic. They can try using them to hijack your sessions and obtain sensitive information like logins, addresses, and account info.
4. Malware infections — your device can get infected simply by visiting a malicious website or joining a fake Wi-Fi network, allowing hackers to compromise your data without any downloads or installs.

What personal information is at risk on public
Wi-Fi?

Eavesdroppers on public networks might monitor unencrypted traffic and steal sensitive data you enter on your device. This information may include:

• Credit card or bank account details;
• Social media passwords;
• Email login credentials;
• Any other personal information you submit online.

Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself on public Wi-Fi. One of the best ways is using a VPN service. By encrypting all your online activity, a VPN connection can prevent snoopers from intercepting and stealing your data.

How does a VPN protect you?

A VPN encrypts your data and hides your IP address. To anyone trying to spy, your traffic looks like gibberish code instead of the actual data. This keeps your online activity and sensitive information safe and private whenever you use a VPN, even on public Wi-Fi networks.

Why use a VPN for public Wi-Fi? 

As we’ve seen, public networks pose a lot of risks, but a VPN can help you stay safe. Here are a few VPN benefits that come particularly handy when connected to public Wi-Fi:

Disclaimer: Please note that using Surfshark services for any illegal activities is strictly forbidden and violates our Terms of Service. Make sure that any use of Surfshark services for your particular activities conforms to all relevant laws and regulations, including those of any service providers and websites you access using Surfshark.

How to stay safe on public Wi-Fi

Not using public Wi-Fi ever again is probably not a very likely solution. So, how do you protect yourself when a public network is your only option?

Use a VPN

A VPN helps keep your data safe whenever you use a public network — it encrypts your traffic, so anybody snooping will only see jumbled, unusable information.

Disable file sharing

Leaving file sharing enabled on your devices can potentially expose your files to others on the same network. Disabling file-sharing features will close off possible routes hackers can use to steal your sensitive data.

Disable Wi-Fi auto-connect

Sometimes, hackers use fake networks with the same name as a trusted network. If you connected to one by accident, having auto-connect enabled, your device may join a malicious hotspot next time you’re near it. Disabling auto-connect ensures you only connect to networks you choose manually.

Avoid using login details

If you’re not using a VPN, avoid logging into your online accounts and entering passwords when on a public network — especially for banking, email, or social media.

How to choose the best VPN

So, you’ve decided you need a Wi-Fi VPN — but how do you pick the best personal VPN for your public security needs? Here’s what you should look at:

1. Subscription. Free VPNs are usually much slower with fewer servers and data caps, while some are known for bombarding customers with ads and even selling their browsing data. A good, trustworthy provider covers the costs of running a VPN service with subscriptions, not your privacy.
2. Security features. Look for a service that uses industry-leading encryption algorithms, such as AES-256 or ChaCha20, paired with trustworthy open-source VPN protocols, like OpenVPN or WireGuard.
3. Connection speeds. A VPN will inevitably slow down your internet. However, high-quality VPNs will have fast servers near your location and use the most efficient protocols, ensuring minimal impact on connection speeds.
4. Server count. Check out available server locations and the total number of servers. The distance between you and the server impacts speed, while a higher server count means likely less congested connections. 
5. Ease of use. To use a VPN anytime you go online, you want the VPN app to be easy to use and have an intuitive interface. The service should also provide 24/7 customer support whenever you may need assistance.
6. Additional features. Advanced VPNs offer many additional privacy and security features. For example, Surfshark cybersecurity suite provides not only a VPN but also works as an ad blocker, offers split tunneling, provides double VPN functionality, has a data leak monitoring tool, antivirus, and more.

How to use a VPN on Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi isn’t the only place a VPN can help. Even on your home Wi-Fi, using a VPN adds an extra layer of privacy and security. Setting one up is simple — here’s how:

1. Choose a VPN provider and purchase a subscription.
2. Create an account.
3. Install the VPN app on your laptop, phone, or other device.
4. Log in.
5. Select a location and connect to a VPN server to encrypt your traffic.

Some VPN providers also offer browser extensions (like Chrome VPN, Firefox VPN, or Edge VPN), but keep in mind these only protect browser traffic, not other apps.

For immediate whole-home protection, you can use a VPN router or install a VPN on your current router.

Pros and cons of using a VPN on Wi-Fi

A VPN can greatly improve your Wi-Fi privacy and security, which is why it’s widely used for both personal and professional use. However, no tool is perfect, and VPNs come with trade-offs that may impact speed, accessibility, and overall user experience. So, it’s worth weighing the benefits against the drawbacks.

Public Wi-Fi vs. home Wi-Fi: do you need a VPN for both?

A VPN is essential for public Wi-Fi, where unencrypted networks pose serious security risks. To keep your personal information and online activities safe, you should always use a VPN when connecting to public hotspots.

Home Wi-Fi is generally more secure, but not completely vulnerability-free, so using a VPN service is still recommended. You may want to use a VPN for privacy reasons alone — your ISP (Internet Service Provider) potentially can monitor your browsing, throttle your speeds, or restrict access to certain websites.

In conclusion: Use a VPN to stay safe on public Wi-Fi networks

Public Wi-Fi can expose your personal data to real risks, from snooping to fake hotspots. If you need to connect, using a VPN is one of the most effective ways to protect your traffic and privacy. So, whenever you go online through an unfamiliar network, consider a VPN as your quick and easy layer of security.

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