How to Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi Networks

Public Wi-Fi networks—like those in coffee shops or hotels—are not nearly as safe as you think. Even if they have a password, you’re sharing a network with tons of other people, which means your data is at risk. Here’s how to stay safe when you’re out and about.

Just because most wireless routers have a firewall to protect you from the internet doesn’t mean you’re protected from others connected to the same network. It’s remarkably easy to steal someone’s username and password, or see what they’re doing just by being on the same network. Don’t take that chance. We’re going to show you which settings are the most important ones, as well as how to automatically change your settings to the appropriate level of security every time you connect to a public network.

The Settings

First, let’s start by talking about what settings and apps can keep you safe. Make sure these are enabled anytime you’re on public Wi-Fi, whether it’s password protected or not. If other people you don’t know are on the same network, you want to protect yourself.