Don't access sensitive data on public networks. While traveling and connected to a public network, avoid accessing sites like your bank account or sharing your credit card number. If you need to access or send this kind of information, consider using your cellular data or a VPN.

Using public Wi-Fi while traveling—whether at an airport, a hotel, or a café—carries inherent security risks, but it can be made safe with the right precautions. The primary threat is a "Man-in-the-Middle" (MitM) attack, where a hacker intercepts the data flowing between your device and the router. To stay safe, the most critical tool you can use is a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which creates an encrypted "tunnel" for your data, making it unreadable to anyone else on the network. Additionally, you should ensure that your device’s "Auto-Join" feature is turned off so you don't accidentally connect to a "spoofed" network designed to look like a legitimate hotel Wi-Fi. Avoid logging into sensitive accounts—like your bank or your primary email—while on a public connection unless your VPN is active. For an even higher level of security, consider using a local SIM card or an eSIM to use cellular data instead of Wi-Fi, as cellular networks are significantly harder to compromise than open public hotspots.