I Never Board a Plane Without This on My Computer—And You Shouldn't, Either
Using free public Wi-Fi is risky, even at airports, hotels, or coworking spaces. When traveling, a VPN is as essential as your passport.
The holiday travel season means you'll likely connect to Wi-Fi hotspots in airports, cafes, and hotels. These hotspots attract criminals who monitor open networks, searching for people accessing unencrypted websites or apps to steal their data.
You might prefer mobile wireless over Wi-Fi, but your wireless provider can still track your data and sell it.
How a VPN Protects You
A VPN creates an encrypted, private tunnel for your internet traffic, shielding your data from network snoopers. It's crucial to activate your VPN, especially on public or untrusted networks.
For more information, read my colleague Justyn Newman’s take on what VPNs can and can’t do.
Both Justyn and I have tested VPNs extensively. Below, I explain how a VPN secures your data, who should invest in one, and which services suit frequent travelers.
Why Travelers Need a VPN
If you're curious about a VPN's usefulness on the road, just ask frequent travelers.
Using a VPN ensures your personal information stays private and reduces the risk of cyber theft during travel.
Recommended Actions
- Always keep your VPN on while connected to public Wi-Fi.
- Choose trusted VPN services optimized for frequent travelers.
- Be cautious even with mobile wireless data providers, who may also track your usage.
Author’s summary: When traveling, using a VPN on public or untrusted Wi-Fi networks is vital for protecting your data from eavesdropping and theft.