Is public Wi-Fi safe? What you need to know in 2026

Is public Wi-Fi safe to use?

Public Wi-Fi is safer today than it was in the 2010s, largely because encryption has become the default on the web. Most major websites and apps now use HTTPS, which encrypts data between your device and the service you’re accessing. The implementation of HTTPS helps protect a large share of everyday activity, such as reading articles, checking travel details, or using mainstream apps, from casual interception on the network.

The improvement in website encryption, however, applies mainly to what happens after your connection reaches a website, not to the Wi-Fi network itself. Many public networks remain open or loosely secured at the access level. They may rely on shared passwords and allow anyone nearby to join. Even with encryption in place, such an uncontrolled environment still leaves room for misdirection. People on the same network usually can’t read encrypted web traffic, but they can sometimes influence where a connection ends up. This is where fake hotspots, look-alike login pages, and bogus “update required” prompts come from, without anyone cracking encryption.

So how risky is public Wi-Fi in practice? It depends on what you’re doing while connected. Public Wi-Fi works well for low-stakes use, such as browsing the web, checking travel updates, or sending a quick message in a mainstream app. It’s a riskier choice for logins and payment related activities, such as accessing an email account, approving a work login, or opening a banking app. For those tasks, it is advised to switch to mobile data or cellular-based alternatives like eSIMs, which avoid shared networks entirely. If you want a deeper look at how those options compare, our guide on whether eSIMs are safe covers security tips and best practices.

What makes public Wi-Fi risky?

Privacy-conscious people tend to avoid public Wi-Fi because it trades control for access. Many hotspots let anyone nearby join, sometimes with nothing more than a shared password on a sign and may not isolate devices from each other. On open networks, the Wi-Fi layer itself may also be unencrypted. This is the kind of setup where someone in the same café can try to snoop on unprotected requests or where a laptop can accidentally expose file sharing if the device treats the network as “trusted.”

The lack of verification and maintenance adds another layer of uncertainty. A network name in your list is easy to copy, so “CoffeeShop Wi-Fi” and “CoffeeShop)WiFi” can both look legitimate when you’re in a hurry. A fake network may send you to a look-alike sign-in page or show a convincing pop-up that makes you click on it. A common example is the “update required” screen that appears right as you join a network. However, the notification doesn’t come from your phone or browser. It comes from the Wi-Fi network itself. Clicking through can lead to malware, credential theft, or unwanted permissions, without any security being cracked. Even on legitimate hotspots, security depends on how the venue runs its equipment. A large airport may have tightly managed Wi-Fi, while a small hotel might use an outdated router that never gets updates. That mix of easy access, hard-to-confirm legitimacy, and uneven upkeep explains why public Wi-Fi is fine for low-stakes browsing but a poor choice for sensitive tasks.

In high-foot-traffic places, attackers get more chances to target users because more people connect in a hurry. When everyone around you seems to be working, it’s easy to tap the first familiar network name or let your device connect automatically, without verifying the access point first. That is why the question “Is public Wi-Fi safe?” only has a useful answer in context, based on the exact network and the task at hand. To avoid the risks of using public Wi-Fi, do your due diligence before you log in. If you want to see where reliance on shared connections is highest in the US, check out our analysis of US states with the highest interest in public Wi-Fi.

Common public Wi-Fi security risks and threats

Common threats on public Wi-Fi networks include connecting to a network that isn’t the one you think it is or using a legitimate Wi-Fi hotspot where someone else can intercept or redirect traffic. The network itself rarely gets hacked. Instead, attackers take advantage of shared access, weak verification, and the fact that people tend to click first and question later. The threats below show up most often on open or loosely secured networks.

Man-in-the-middle attacks

A man-in-the-middle attack happens when someone positions themselves between your device and the internet. On public Wi-Fi, that can mean routing your internet traffic through their system without you noticing. The perpetrators usually don’t need to break encryption to cause harm. If you submit your login details on a fake page, approve a prompt you shouldn’t, or use a service or an app that doesn’t encrypt the traffic, those details can be captured as they pass through. This is one of the most common public Wi-Fi threats because it relies on access to the network, not advanced hacking skills.

Evil-twin networks (fake hotspots)

Hackers don’t just access public Wi-Fi and snoop. They can also set up a copy of it. That’s what an “evil twin” network is — a fake Wi-Fi hotspot designed to look legitimate. Hackers copy a familiar name and change it slightly — for example, changing “CoffeeShop_Wi-Fi” to “CoffeeShop-Wi-Fi” — then wait for people to connect. Once you join, all your internet traffic flows through their network. From your perspective, everything looks normal. Pages load. Apps work. But the danger is that login screens, captive portals, or update prompts can be manipulated or replaced without you realizing you’re connected to the wrong network at all.

Packet sniffing and snooping

Packet sniffing is the public Wi-Fi version of someone standing by the door and writing down what they can overhear. On an open Wi-Fi hotspot, basic hacking tools can capture internet traffic moving across the network, especially if an app or a service sends data in plain text without proper encryption. HTTPS usually prevents attackers from reading websites’ content , but they may still see useful scraps, such as which domains your device connects to, when it connects, and whether the information flows through the connection in plain, unencrypted text. It’s important to note that not all traffic on a public Wi‑Fi network is protected by HTTPS. Even if websites are encrypted, some background apps and older services may still send data in plain text — leaving useful bits exposed to anyone monitoring the network. A weather app might ping a server, a cheap travel service might load an image over HTTP, or an older device that hasn’t been updated in years might broadcast more information than it should. In the best case, a snooper only learns that you spent 10 minutes on a flight status site and then opened your email. In the worst case, a poorly protected app leaks a login token or a username.

Malware distribution

Public Wi-Fi can also be used to infect your device with malware, not just to spy on traffic. This type of attack often happens right as your device connects, when the network redirects you to a welcome page. Attackers can swap that page for a convincing fake message that says your browser or phone needs an “urgent update” to get online. Clicking it can download malware, spyware, or apps that request permissions you never meant to grant. If an update message appears the moment you join public Wi-Fi, treat it as suspicious and wait until you’re on a connection you trust.

Is hotel Wi-Fi safe?

For regular browsing tasks like reading the news, checking maps, or looking up dinner spots, hotel Wi-Fi is usually safe. But it comes with the same risks as any other public network, even when it’s password protected. That password usually isn’t unique to you — it’s most likely shared with dozens or hundreds of guests, which means you’re all connected through the same network. If that network isn’t properly isolated, activity from one device can expose others to interception attempts or redirection tricks. Hotels also have practical reasons to monitor traffic, such as managing bandwidth or enforcing usage policies, so your activity isn’t as private as it might feel. For sensitive information — such as logins, work tools, or money-related tasks — it’s safer to switch to mobile data or use a VPN while traveling.

Is airport Wi-Fi safe?

As with hotel Wi-Fi, airport public networks are generally safe for simple networking tasks that don’t include users punching in login details on web pages or dealing with sensitive information. The problem is that airports are high-traffic environments with lots of unfamiliar networks, which makes fake Wi-Fi hotspots common and hard to spot in a hurry. Even the official network often relies on a captive portal, and that creates more room for redirection tricks.

What to avoid on public Wi-Fi

It’s best to avoid public Wi-Fi for activity that would hurt if leaked, even if the network feels legitimate. That includes online banking and financial transactions — especially transfers, approvals, or anything involving sensitive account access. Our guide on whether eSIMs are safe for banking explains why a cellular connection is a better choice for that sort of activity. You should also avoid entering credit card details, logging in to your email accounts or work systems, accessing confidential documents, making purchases on unfamiliar websites, and leaving file sharing enabled. Public Wi-Fi can work well for browsing and basic planning, but it’s not worth the risk when you’re handling sensitive information digitally. 

How to stay safe on public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is fine for browsing, but it doesn’t protect your private information in the same way a home network or another private network does. A coffee shop access point, for example, is shared with strangers, and how it’s secured can vary widely from place to place. If you need to work remotely or log in to sensitive accounts, treat the connection as untrusted and use extra measures to keep personal data out of the wrong hands. For a broader view beyond Wi-Fi alone, this guide on how to protect data on a mobile device covers the basics that matter most.

Use a VPN for encryption

A virtual private network (VPN) can protect you on public Wi-Fi, and it’s one of the best ways to reduce risk on an untrusted network. A VPN encrypts your traffic before it leaves your device, then sends it through a server run by your VPN service, so people on the same Wi-Fi access point can’t easily snoop on what you’re doing or capture login credentials in transit. But it can’t stop every threat. A VPN won’t stop you from joining rogue networks, and it won’t save you if a fake portal or prompt convinces you to type a password or download a file. It’s a strong layer of protection, but you still need to use common sense around the network you choose and the links you click.

Stick to HTTPS websites

Use only HTTPS sites for tasks dealing with sensitive data, and check for the padlock symbol in the address bar of your browser before entering login credentials or other private information. Most major platforms already use HTTPS by default, which is a big improvement since the 2010s. Still, some pages or older services may not enforce encryption correctly. If the connection isn’t HTTPS, don’t use it to sign in, make payments, or submit forms.

Verify network names before connecting

Always verify the exact network name before joining, especially in a busy coffee shop, hotel, or airport. Ask staff for the official SSID and confirm the correct access point instead of guessing from a long list of similar names. Avoid generic options like “Free Wi-Fi,” which are easy to imitate and commonly used as rogue or evil-twin networks. One wrong tap can place your traffic on an attacker-controlled network that looks normal at first glance.

Disable auto-connect and file sharing

Turn off all auto-connect features so your device doesn’t jump onto a familiar-looking hotspot without your approval. A network that resembles one you used before isn’t automatically a trusted network. Disable file sharing as well so folders and local services don’t become visible to strangers on public Wi-Fi.

Keep software and devices updated

Keep your operating system, apps, and security software updated because updates patch flaws attackers use to exploit vulnerabilities on shared networks. Combine that with strong passwords and two-factor authentication on important accounts, especially if you work remotely or access company tools outside the office. Basic update and account hygiene can block a large share of hacking attempts.

Is mobile data safer than public Wi-Fi?

Mobile data is generally safer than public Wi-Fi because the connection is private by default. Cellular networks require authentication and encrypt traffic between your device and the carrier, which makes casual interception much harder than on an open network. You aren’t sharing the same access point with strangers, and there’s no public network name for someone to copy or spoof. For everyday internet use that involves logins, account access, or other sensitive information, mobile data comes with fewer risks than a shared Wi-Fi connection.

Using mobile data is safer than connecting to public Wi-Fi, but it isn’t perfect. Coverage can be uneven, data caps can still be a nuisance users have to plan around, and costs can add up when roaming. Using your phone as a personal hotspot provides a similar level of security, but it draws from the same data limits and drains your battery. Even so, for tasks where you would quickly notice unusual activity, such as account alerts or security emails, a cellular connection is still a safer choice than relying on public Wi-Fi, especially if you’re working with older apps that may still use unencrypted plain text.

Travel eSIMs: A secure alternative to public Wi-Fi

If you want reliable internet on the move without playing detective every time you open your laptop, a travel eSIM plan is a solid option. Travel eSIMs give you a dedicated mobile data connection, so your traffic stays on a cellular network instead of passing through a café’s router or an outdated hotel access point. That reduces exposure to common public Wi-Fi pitfalls, including redirects to the wrong site, “update required” pop-ups, and accidental leaks from poorly secured apps or websites. Saily offers travel eSIM plans with coverage in 200+ locations worldwide. You can browse all destinations or download the Saily eSIM app to get set up before you travel.