Is It Safe to Use Public Wi-Fi? 4 Things You Should Know Before You Connect

December 18, 2025

Public Wi-Fi networks are found nearly everywhere in today’s world, from cafes and airports, to hotels and more. These networks offer the convenience of staying connected while on the go. However, as convenient as they are, these networks come with significant security risks.

Many public Wi-Fi connections are unsecured, leaving your data vulnerable to interception by hackers and other malicious individuals. From stealing passwords to spying on private conversations, these threats are very real and should not be taken lightly.

In this blog, we’ll cover 4 key practices you should follow before connecting to a public network.

This article is primarily intended for employees using work devices, offering guidance on how to stay secure while accessing company resources on public networks. However, the same best practices can also help users when on personal devices improve their online safety and reduce the risk of data exposure.

Turn Off Automatic Connectivity Features

The first practice is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your device on a public network. This is to turn off automatic connectivity features such as Bluetooth and automatic Wi-Fi connections. While convenient, these features can unintentionally expose your device to threats when used in public.

Leaving Bluetooth enabled makes your device discoverable to others nearby,potentially allowing malicious actors to attempt unauthorized connections or access your data. That said, keep in mind that many everyday devices, such as smartwatches, AirTags (and similar trackers), wireless headphones, and other smart accessories, rely on Bluetooth to function properly. Disabling Bluetooth might interrupt these connections, so it’s best to turn it off only when you’re not actively using Bluetooth-enabled devices or when you’re in particularly high-risk environments, such as airports and public transit.

Similarly, if your device is set to automatically join known Wi-Fi networks, it might unknowingly connect to a rogue hotspot. For example, a hacker may set up such a network with a familiar network name like “Free_WiFi,” giving them the opportunity to intercept your data.

Here’s your checklist for what to check for when it comes to secure connections:

Disable automatic connections
Turn off Bluetooth when not in use
Regularly review your saved networks
Set your device to “ask to join networks”
Keep your software up to date, as updates often patch known vulnerabilities.

Ensure the Website URL Starts with HTTPS

The second recommended practice when using public Wi-Fi is to always ensure that the websites you visit use HTTPS rather than HTTP.

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) encrypts the data exchanged between your device and the website, helping to protect your sensitive information, including passwords, personal details, payment data, and other information. You can identify an HTTPS connection by looking for the “S” in HTTPS in the “https://” prefix, as well as the padlock icon next to the URL in a browser’s address bar. Both indicate that the connection between your device and the website is encrypted.

However, it’s important to understand that HTTPS alone does not guarantee a website’s safety. While HTTPS ensures that your connection is secure, the website itself could still be malicious. Cybercriminals can easily obtain SSL certificates and create fake sites that look identical to legitimate ones in an effort to trick users into entering sensitive information.

In other words, HTTPS is a good sign that your connection is protected, but not a guarantee that the site you’re on is trustworthy. Always double-check URLs for accuracy, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and be cautious when entering personal or financial details, especially when connected to public Wi-Fi.

Be Cautious with Downloads and File Transfers

A third precautionary measure when using public Wi-Fi is to avoid installing applications or transferring files, including uploading, downloading, or opening documents, until you’re on a trusted, secure network. Public Wi-Fi networks are often open or poorly secured, making them prime targets for cybercriminals.

Hackers can position themselves between your device and the internet, intercepting data or even injecting malicious code into files during transfer. Installing software or opening documents while connected to public Wi-Fi increases the risk of unintentionally introducing malware, spyware, ransomware, or keyloggers, which are tools that can give attackers access to your private information or even full control of your device.

Additionally, fake Wi-Fi hotspots that mimic legitimate networks can deceive users into connecting. Anything downloaded or uploaded through them may be compromised. Even files from seemingly trusted websites can be intercepted or altered in transit.

To stay safe, wait until you’re connected to a private, secure network before installing applications or transferring any files or documents.

Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

The fourth and final best practice when connecting to public Wi-Fi is to always use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN encrypts all traffic between your device and the internet, ensuring that even if someone intercepts the data on a public network, it remains unreadable and secure.

This is especially important because many modern tools, such as OneDrive, SharePoint, Google Drive, and Dropbox, constantly sync files in the background. Even if you’re not actively sharing documents, these services may automatically upload, download, or update files as soon as your device connects to the internet. On an unsecured public Wi-Fi network, this background activity can expose sensitive data to interception or manipulation.

By connecting to a VPN immediately after joining a public network, you create an encrypted tunnel that protects your work and personal data from prying eyes. Once the VPN is active, you can safely continue using your cloud and collaboration tools without worrying about data leakage or unauthorized access.

In short, connect to the Wi-Fi first, then immediately connect to your VPN before doing anything else. It’s one of the most effective ways to keep your information secure when working remotely or on the go.

Conclusion

While public Wi-Fi offers convenience and accessibility in so many locations that we often find ourselves in, it also presents serious security challenges that should not be ignored. Without the right precautions, your personal data can easily fall into the wrong hands.

Fortunately, with awareness and smart habits, you can browse more safely and protect your digital life even when you’re on the go. While no approach is completely foolproof, straightforward yet powerful habits go a long way in shielding you from the many risks that lurk in today’s digital landscape.

For more security awareness training content, visit our Cybersecurity Resources webpage. You can also learn more about Kite Technology’s Managed Security and Compliance services here.