Wi-Fi at the airport: how to use it safely

Fake Wi-Fi networks: the most common risk

The most frequent risk is rogue networks, hotspots created by malicious actors with a name nearly identical to the airport's official one: checking the exact network name at an information desk before connecting reduces the risk of ending up on an unauthorized device.

What a VPN actually does

A VPN encrypts data traffic making it harder to intercept information on public networks. NordVPN automatically activates protection when your phone connects to an unknown network and includes a kill switch that cuts the connection if the VPN accidentally turns off; Proton VPN, with a privacy-first approach and open-source app, offers similar features via its Secure Core servers. Neither makes a public network 100% safe, but both concretely reduce your exposure.

Habits matter more than technology

Avoiding bank transactions or entering important passwords on an unverified public network remains the most effective precaution, along with disabling automatic connection to known Wi-Fi networks in your phone settings, which otherwise can silently hook a malicious duplicate network at a later airport. Here's a fuller guide on airport Wi-Fi and charging.

If you need to do something sensitive at the airport, mobile data stays safer than any public Wi-Fi, whether or not a VPN is active.