The best way to keep your data safe on public Wi-Fi networks is to get a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN’s encryption counters most, if not all, of the ways a compromised Wi-Fi hotspot can steal your data. And we’re all guilty of loving ourselves a free Wi-Fi — especially while traveling — so staying secure should matter to everyone. Read along to learn how to.
Table of contents
What are the risks of public Wi-Fi? | The Wi-Fi hotspot itself may be compromised by the provider, used in a man-in-the-middle attack, or be fake to begin with. |
|---|---|
What personal information is at risk on public Wi-Fi? | Any personal data you submit online while on public Wi-Fi may be at risk. |
How do I stay safe on public Wi-Fi? | Use a VPN. |
Can public Wi-Fi block a virtual private network? | Yes, but there are ways you can try to get around this block. |
Can a public Wi-Fi provider see your browsing history? | Yes, they can see what device accessed what website at what time. |
Why use a VPN for public Wi-Fi? | To keep your data encrypted and safe. |
What are the risks of public Wi-Fi?
You can never know who could be monitoring your internet traffic on a public Wi-Fi network, as data traffic on public Wi-Fi connections is usually not encrypted. This means network security could be easily compromised, making it fairly easy for snoopers to intercept your traffic. Let’s go over some of their tricks.
Man-in-the-middle attacks
A man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack is when a hacker interrupts your connection and gains access to your traffic — and you may have no idea that this is even happening. Your activity data can be collected and sold to third parties and advertisers or be used to set up elaborate phishing attacks.
Evil twin attacks
Evil twins are fake Wi-Fi hotspots that imitate genuine 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,” you might believe they are both legitimate. In reality, one could be set up by a hacker looking to steal your data.
Cookie theft
Bad actors on public Wi-Fi hotspots tend to target cookies just as much as traffic. Your cookies can be used to obtain sensitive information, such as your login details, home address, and name.
Computer worms
Some computer worms can be implanted into your device without you downloading them or installing malicious software. Sometimes, visiting a malicious website or joining a fake Wi-Fi network is enough for hackers to compromise your data.
What personal information is at risk on public Wi-Fi?
Eavesdroppers on public networks might monitor unencrypted network traffic and steal sensitive information you enter on your device. This information can include:
- Credit card and bank account details;
- Social media passwords;
- Email login credentials;
- Any other personal information that you input.
Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself on public Wi-Fi. One of the best ones — using a VPN service. By encrypting all activity on your device, a VPN connection can prevent people from snooping and stealing your data.
How does a VPN protect you?
A VPN encrypts your data and hides your IP address. Anyone who tries to spy on your activities will only see 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 already know, there are a lot of risks on public networks. So, what are the benefits of a VPN when you’re using public Wi-Fi? Here are a few that come in particularly handy:
Stay secure on public Wi-Fi networks | Encrypt your data on banking apps | Share sensitive information securely |
|---|---|---|
Forget hackers and relax whenever you use free Wi-Fi. | Protect your transactions with the best encryption on the market. | Send private files without the fear of them being intercepted. |
Access content when traveling | Work from your favorite coffee shop | Check social media anywhere |
Get unrestricted access to the internet on any network, anywhere. | Feel as secure as on your work network, no matter where you are. | Use your social media wherever you are without leaking any sensitive data. |
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
I’m not saying you should stop using public Wi-Fi altogether. Everyone loves free connection. So, how do you protect yourself when a public network is your only option?
Use a VPN
With a VPN, you can ensure your data safety whenever you use a public network. A VPN encrypts your data, so anybody snooping on a public Wi-Fi connection will only see jumbled, unusable information.
Disable file sharing
Having file sharing enabled on your devices can potentially provide access to your files to others on the same network. Disabling file-sharing features will block 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 disable auto-connect on your device, you won’t automatically connect to any fake networks.
Avoid using login details
If you’re not using a VPN, avoid logging into your online accounts and inputting passwords when on a public network. This includes using passwords for online banking, email accounts, social media, etc.
How to choose the best VPN
So now you may realize that you need a Wi-Fi VPN, but you probably don’t automatically know which one to choose. Here’s some advice that will help you select the best personal VPN for your public security needs:
- Get a paid VPN
While free VPNs sound tempting, at best, they can offer a much slower service with fewer servers and data caps — to make you get the paid version. However, some are known for bombarding customers with ads and even selling their browsing data.
A good, trustworthy VPN will never do such things, as it covers the development, infrastructure maintenance, and other costs needed to run a VPN service with customer subscription payments.
- Check the security features
AES-256 and ChaCha20 are the industry-leading encryptions most premium VPNs use to turn your data into gibberish to prying eyes. Also, make sure that the encryption is paired with trustworthy open-source VPN protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard.
- Investigate the connection speeds
A VPN will slow down your internet — the question is, “How much?” A high-quality VPN will have minimal impact because it will have the fastest servers near your location and use the most efficient protocols.
- Count the servers
The number of available servers and server locations matter. The distance between you and the server impacts speed, which is also the reason you may want to get a particular VPN. The higher server count ensures that the servers you connect to are less likely to experience congestion.
- Appreciate ease of use
If you want to use a VPN whenever you go online, you would surely like the app to be easy to use. So, see if the VPN app has an intuitive interface and 24/7 customer support whenever you need any assistance.
- Inquire about additional features
VPN apps are very sophisticated these days and can offer many additional privacy and security features. For example, Surfshark cybersecurity suite provides not only a VPN but also works as an ad blocker, does split tunneling, provides double VPN functionality, has a data leak monitoring tool, antivirus, and more.
How to use a VPN on Wi-Fi
Whether you’re connecting to Wi-Fi with a PC, smartphone, or another device, protecting the internet connection with a VPN generally involves:
- Purchasing a VPN subscription and creating an account;
- Installing a VPN client on the device and logging in;
- Connecting to a VPN server.
Some VPN providers offer browser extensions, such as Chrome VPN, Firefox VPN, and Edge VPN. However, keep in mind that a browser VPN only protects browser traffic, leaving other apps exposed to public Wi-Fi and other threats.
If you want to secure your home Wi-Fi, you could also do it by getting a VPN router for your home or installing a VPN on your current router.
Pros and cons of using a VPN on Wi-Fi
A VPN can significantly enhance a Wi-Fi network’s privacy and security, making it a popular choice for both personal and professional use. However, like any technology, it comes with trade-offs that may impact speed, accessibility, and overall user experience.
Aspect | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
Public Wi-Fi security | Encrypts your data, preventing hackers from intercepting it on public networks | Doesn’t protect against fake WiFi networks (evil twin attacks) |
IP address protection | Hides your real IP address, preventing tracking by websites and ISPs | VPNs may slow down internet speeds due to encryption and rerouting |
Prevents ISP snooping | Stops Wi-Fi providers and ISPs from monitoring your browsing activity | Some ISPs detect and throttle VPN traffic, reducing performance |
Access to home content abroad | Allows access to home content (e.g., streaming services, websites) during international travel | Some platforms block VPN connections |
Helps avoid Wi-Fi network monitoring | Helps prevent network admins from spying on your activity | VPNs don’t prevent admins from seeing that a VPN is in use |
Man-in-the-Middle Attack protection | Encrypts data, making it harder for attackers to manipulate your connection | If your device is already compromised (e.g., malware, keyloggers), a VPN won’t help |
Secure remote work | Ensures safe access to corporate resources over Wi-Fi | Some workplaces require their own VPNs, making personal VPNs redundant |
Protection against unsecured Wi-Fi | Encrypts traffic on open Wi-Fi networks that lack password protection | Doesn’t stop phishing attacks or malware downloads |
Multiple device support | Protects laptops, smartphones, tablets, and even routers | Some devices (e.g., smart TVs, gaming consoles) may require manual setup |
DDoS attack prevention | Helps gamers and remote workers avoid DDoS attacks by masking their real IP | If an attacker already has your real IP, a VPN won’t help unless you change networks |
Router-level VPN protection | Installing a VPN on a router secures all connected devices automatically | Router-based VPNs can be complex to set up and may reduce internet speed |
Public Wi-Fi vs. home Wi-Fi: do you need a VPN for both?
A VPN is essential for public Wi-Fi connections, as these networks pose a multitude of security concerns. So, to keep your personal information and online activities secure, you should always use a VPN when connecting to public networks.
Home Wi-Fis are generally more secure than public ones, but using a VPN service is still recommended, as they’re not completely vulnerability-free. While there are fewer immediate risks on your home network, you may want to use a VPN for privacy reasons alone — your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can see your activities and could potentially give your activity logs to third parties, throttle your bandwidth, and even restrict access to certain websites.
In conclusion: use a VPN to stay safe on public Wi-Fi networks
Unless absolutely necessary, we recommend avoiding public Wi-Fi. But if you really have to — use a VPN.
A cybersecurity suite like Surfshark uses high-level VPN encryption for all your activities, is affordable, easy to install, and provides additional security features. You don’t even need any technical knowledge to use it. It’s the perfect way to protect your data and get that extra peace of mind when using public networks.
If you’d like to see more features, take a look at an in-depth review of Surfshark.
FAQ
Is a VPN a free Wi-Fi?
No, a VPN is not a free Wi-Fi. Although a VPN protects any network, it isn’t a network itself and will not provide you with an internet connection.
Which VPN gives free Wi-Fi?
No VPN can give you free Wi-Fi. VPNs are additional tools that protect you and your devices. They do not provide Wi-Fi. However, they make it safe to use free Wi-Fi, which makes them an essential tool if you want to stay private and secure whenever you use free internet networks.
Can you use a VPN on Wi-Fi?
Yes, you can use a VPN on Wi-Fi. In fact, using a VPN is highly recommended, especially if you’re on a public Wi-Fi network. Say you’re traveling — the Wi-Fi a hotel offers might not be the most secure. By turning on a VPN, you significantly lower your risk of falling prey to cyberthreats. It encrypts your data and protects sensitive information from bad actors lurking on public Wi-Fi.
Which VPN can I use on free Wi-Fi?
To protect your sensitive data on free Wi-Fi, you should use a paid VPN that doesn’t keep logs of your activity. Reliable VPN providers prioritize your privacy, protecting you with secure encryption and ensuring your data stays hidden.
Can I use a free VPN on public Wi-Fi?
No, you shouldn’t use a free VPN on public Wi-Fi. If your goal is to increase your privacy and security when connected to an unsecured Wi-Fi network, then you should aim for an affordable, high-quality VPN. Paid VPNs have the latest security features, so they will protect you on compromised hotspots. Plus, free VPNs offer inferior speeds and are also likely to sell your browsing data to finance themselves.
Can public Wi-Fi block a virtual private network?
Yes, public Wi-Fi networks can block you from accessing them with a VPN. Whoever is hosting the connection gets to choose the terms of use, so they might block VPNs. However, anybody who intentionally blocks you from using a VPN is generally doing it so they can track your online activity.
If anyone blocks your VPN connection, you can try using a different VPN protocol, switching VPN ports, or switching to another VPN server. While this won’t always work, it can help you overcome local blocks.
Can a public Wi-Fi provider see your browsing history?
While you’re connected to the network, the Wi-Fi provider can see and track all your activities, not only the websites you visit. Using Incognito/Private mode doesn’t help. It only stops your device from tracking browsing history. Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) or the owner of the Wi-Fi hotspot can still see the traffic.
