Using public Wi-Fi safely
Airports, cafes and hotels. What is fine, and what to avoid.
Public Wi-Fi is fine for many things, but you cannot know who else is on it, or whether the network is what it claims to be.
- Ask staff for the exact network name. Criminals set up networks with lookalike names.
- Stick to websites that start with https and show a padlock.
- Avoid handling sensitive work, such as customer records or banking, on public Wi-Fi.
- If Windows asks whether the network is private or public, choose Public.
- Better still, use your phone as a hotspot. See Phone Wi-Fi and hotspot.
Careful
Avoid signing in to work accounts on a public computer, such as a hotel business center. If you must, use a private window and sign out afterward.
Good to know
If your business gave you a VPN, use it on any network you do not control.