For most travelers, free Wi-Fi is a service we take for granted. Airports, hotels, cafes and train stations offer it almost everywhere. You can use it to check your emails, book travel tickets or get some quick information from the internet without using mobile data.

But a growing number of people are realizing that public Wi-Fi is not as innocent looking as it seems. They are generally insecure and lacking good security measures, and some of them are created with the intention of catching unsuspecting users.

Why people are starting to think twice
Following incidents of or coming across minor security threats that can escalate quickly, more travelers are taking precautions. Sometimes it’s a suspicious login alert, sometimes you’re locked out of your account while abroad, and sometimes unusual online activities on your devices.

Not even messaging apps are free from this problem. When people start to suspect that their Facebook or WhatsApp is hacked upon seeing unauthorized login attempts or messages they didn’t send, it makes them think about the safety of their digital connections, especially when using public Wi-Fi.

Such an experience, or even simply hearing about it has made many travelers be more careful about when to use public networks.

What travelers are doing differently now
It’s not that people have stopped using public Wi-Fi altogether, but they are being more cautious. Now, many see it as a medium for doing simple and low risk tasks such as checking the weather or reading news, rather than anything sensitive.

Certain habits are becoming more common among regular travelers. Although these are simple actions, they can help you avoid a lot of unnecessary risk:

• Using mobile data instead of public Wi-Fi for anything important
• Turning off automatic Wi-Fi connections on phones and laptops
• Avoiding logging into banking or work accounts on shared networks
• Using VPNs when they do need to connect
• Double-checking network names with hotel or airport staff

The real issue with public networks
Using public Wi-Fi networks isn’t automatically dangerous, but they are insecure. You cannot determine who has created a public Wi-Fi network or how many devices are connected to it. Cyber attackers can make use of such risks by creating fake internet spots which appear to be genuine or hacking data from weakly secured internet spots. Most users won’t notice anything unusual while it’s happening.

A shift in travel habits
What’s interesting is that cyber security is slowly becoming part of the steps that people take to prepare for their travels. It’s no longer just about getting a passport, booking flights, and making a packing list. Some travelers also think about how to keep themselves safe from cyber threats when traveling.

It does not mean that everybody has become paranoid about Wi-Fi. People are simply becoming aware of the areas where risks exist, and managing their use of public Wi-Fi through simple steps. Public Wi-Fi services are still being used on a daily basis, just with a bit more caution than before.
And for many travelers, one simple change can help you avoid many unnecessary challenges.