Utilize Public Wi-Fi—Provided You Adhere to These Safety Guidelines

Public Wi-Fi is here to stay, along with its associated concerns. I have consistently utilized airport, café, and hotel Wi-Fi networks for years, solely by adhering to these straightforward safety protocols.

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Consistently Enable Your VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) establishes an encrypted conduit between your device and the internet. Encrypting your traffic safeguards against unauthorized entities monitoring your activity or intercepting confidential information.

Connecting to a public Wi-Fi network without a password or one that employs a different sort of Wi-Fi captive portal, such as those encountered in shopping malls, indicates that you are utilizing an unsecured network.

These are generally unsafe. Although most of your data is currently safeguarded by HTTPS (the secure variant of HTTP), activating your VPN will provide additional security for your data.

Considering that premium VPNs are generally very affordable for multi-year subscriptions, it is prudent to maintain one readily available to circumvent any possible complications. Numerous VPN providers, such as NordVPN and CyberGhost, provide applications with automated connection functionalities. Enabling these features guarantees your device establishes a secure connection upon detecting a public network. This proactive measure substantially diminishes your susceptibility, particularly if you are often mobile.

Deactivate Automatic Connection

Your devices often possess a configuration that enables automatic connecting to previously utilized or trusted networks. This feature, although convenient, may expose you to security risks, particularly in public settings.

The concept of rogue hotspots in public areas is undeniably concerning and perilous. Numerous instances exist of hackers establishing rogue hotspots with recognizable or reputable names, such as "Airport_Free" or "Starbucks_WiFi," to deceive users into automatic connections, so potentially providing attackers access to sensitive information.

To avert this, deactivate the auto-connect function in your Wi-Fi configurations. This modification guarantees your awareness of all network connection attempts, hence enhancing your security control. Consistently examine your network configurations to ensure that auto-connect is deactivated, particularly following software changes or device resets.

• Android devices: The position of this setting differs due to the diverse settings of Android; nevertheless, it is generally found under Settings > Wi-Fi, where you should seek a toggle labeled Connect Automatically, Connect to Public Wi-Fi, Auto-Connect to Best Network, etc. Ensure that this is deactivated.

• iPhone: I was astonished to see that, despite not being a regular iPhone user (having borrowed my daughter's device), there is no general option to disable automatic connection to Wi-Fi networks. You will consistently receive prompts to join, which is beneficial; nevertheless, managed Wi-Fi networks may still connect automatically (for instance, XfinityWiFi and other provider networks). In 2025, that is an outrageous proposition from Apple that would really frustrate me.

• Navigate to Settings > Wi-Fi, and choose the (i) adjacent to the network name. Activate the toggle adjacent to Auto-Join. You will no longer be automatically connected to that network.

• For all other networks, ensure the Ask to Join Networks toggle is configured to Ask.

Windows, macOS, and Linux will not automatically connect to a Wi-Fi network unless a prior connection has been established.

Regardless of whether your device automatically connects to Wi-Fi, take a moment to evaluate each Wi-Fi network to which you connect.

Verify the Network Name with Staff

Conduct the simplest security verification: inquire with an employee on-site. If you are concerned about a fraudulent Wi-Fi access point, request that the staff verify the authenticity of the network you are about to connect to.

Do not presume the authenticity of a network based merely on its name. Taking a moment to verify helps avert potential security breaches and protect your sensitive information.

Use "HTTPS-Only Mode" or "Always Use Secure Connections"

Activating HTTPS-Only mode is an essential browser security feature that should be enabled by all users. It compels your browser to consistently utilize the more secure HTTPS protocol, safeguarding your data from unauthorized access.

In the past, those concerned with security and privacy utilized the EFF's HTTPS Everywhere addon to safeguard their data. Fortunately, contemporary browsers default to HTTPS; still, it remains prudent to activate this option to guarantee your browser consistently employs it.

This function is referred to by several names depending on the browser utilized. In Google Chrome, enable Always Use Secure Connections; in Firefox, activate HTTPS-Only Mode.

Instructions for Activating "Always Use Secure Connections" in Google Chrome

• Access Settings > Privacy and Security > Security.

• Activate Consistently utilize secure connections.

• Issues warnings for all vulnerable websites.

Instructions for Activating "Always Use Secure Connections" in Mozilla Firefox

• Navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security.

• Navigate to Security > HTTPS-Only Mode.

• Activate HTTPS-Only Mode in all windows.

  
  

This setting is available in all major browsers.

Deactivate Airdrop and Nearby Share

File sharing functionalities like as AirDrop (Apple) or Nearby Share (Android), in conjunction with Bluetooth, are exceptionally convenient in secure settings but present considerable concerns on public Wi-Fi networks. Maintaining these options enabled may unintentionally render your device susceptible to nearby assailants seeking to exploit unsecured connections or flaws.

It is advisable to disable these easy-share capabilities until they are required.

Use Your Phone's Hotspot

I strongly advocate utilizing my smartphone hotspot rather than public Wi-Fi. It is convenient, operates nearly instantaneously, and frequently provides comparable internet speeds to the public Wi-Fi being utilized. In the UK, this is the case; however, your experience may differ based on your location.

However, it is not solely the convenience. Establishing a direct connection to your smartphone's hotspot mitigates the hazards associated with public Wi-Fi and ensures your conversations remain within a private network. You can modify the security procedures on your smartphone and establish a robust, distinctive password to prevent unauthorized access, and you are all set.

The primary disadvantage of utilizing your hotspot is that it may deplete your monthly data allocation. It is advisable to contemplate your activities when utilizing your hotspot in this manner; defer 4K video downloads until you are at home.