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Is public WiFi dangerous?<\/p>\n
AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Republished on July 23 with new warnings for smartphone users when traveling.<\/p>\n
Holiday season is now upon us. And as we head to airports across the U.S. and overseas, the Transportation Security Administration<\/a> (TSA) has issued new warnings for all smartphone (and PC) users to stay safe and secure at airports while traveling.<\/p>\n The first warning plays into the controversial risk of juice jacking<\/a>. This is where you\u2019re tricked into plugging your phone into a compromised public charging socket in a hotel or mall or airport. \u201cSo, when you\u2019re at an airport do not plug your phone directly into a USB port. Bring your TSA-compliant power brick or battery pack and plug in there.\u201d<\/p>\n TSA\u2019s second warning plays into the even more controversial risk of public WiFi<\/a>. Nothing irritates cybersecurity professionals more than blanket warnings about public WiFi, given that most traffic to and from your smartphone is now encrypted.<\/p>\n Forbes\u2018Starting Today\u2019\u2014Microsoft Confirms Free Windows UpdateBy Zak Doffman<\/a><\/p>\n But TSA has warned smartphone users nonetheless. \u201cDon\u2019t use free public WiFi,\u201d it says as one of its \u201ctwo best tips for staying cyber safe at airports while you\u2019re traveling.\u201d That means do not connect to free airport networks as most of us do. This is especially true, it adds, \u201cif you\u2019re planning to make any online purchases,\u201d and also warns \u201cdo not ever enter any sensitive info while using unsecured WiFi.\u201d<\/p>\n So, is this right? In general, public WiFi is fine \u2014 and that includes airport WiFi. As the FTC<\/a> says \u201cbecause of the widespread use of encryption, connecting through a public Wi-Fi network is usually safe.\u201d But be sure to follow those golden rules when connecting:<\/p>\n Disable auto-connection to public or unknown WiFi networks The mobile security specialists at Zimperium<\/a> have just issued their own public WiFi warning for smartphone users \u201cespecially during travel when vigilance is low.\u201d With free public-WiFi everywhere,\u201d they say, \u201cattackers know exactly how to strike.\u201d<\/p>\n ForbesIf You See This Message, Your Amazon Account Is Under AttackBy Zak Doffman<\/a><\/p>\n Echoing TSA\u2019s warning, the team says \u201cduring travel, these risks multiply.\u201d And it\u2019s not just airports. \u201cHotels, ride-share hubs, and caf\u00e9s all offer rich hunting grounds for attackers.\u201d It\u2019s worse overseas, but \u201cmajor U.S. cities like Los Angeles, New York, Portland, Miami, and Seattle are seeing increased mobile malware activity.\u201d<\/p>\n Responding to the public WiFi warning, Venn\u2019s David Matalon told me \u201cthese risks go well beyond just mobile. As more employees work remotely from home offices or while traveling, they\u2019re often using not just personal phones, but personal laptops as well.\u201d All of which are now often connected to \u201cunsecured networks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor business travelers,\u201d Zimperium says, \u201cthe risk is real: compromised devices can quickly become gateways into corporate environments, especially when security controls are not enforced or visibility is lacking.\u201d<\/p>\n SlashNext\u2019s J Stephen Kowski agrees: \u201cMobile devices are a prime target for attackers, especially when employees connect to unsecured WiFi or download apps from outside official stores. Security teams need to keep a close eye on all mobile endpoints and enforce strict controls to block risky connections and apps.\u201d<\/p>\n ForbesFBI Warning\u2014Do Not Install This App On Your PC Or SmartphoneBy Zak Doffman<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe traditional perimeter is gone,\u201d Matalon says. \u201cThe Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) reality for remote workers requires a shift in strategy: from securing the device to securing the work itself.\u201d The tools are there, even if they\u2019re not being used.<\/p>\n \u201cToday\u2019s technology enables organizations to isolate and protect work from any personal use on the same computer,\u201d Matalon says, \u201ceven if the network or device is compromised. It\u2019s time to stop asking \u2018if\u2019 work data and apps will be exposed on a personal device and start planning for \u2018when\u2019 it happens.\u201d<\/p>\n Zimperium says smartphone settings should be changed to \u201cblock connections to public unsecured WiFi,\u201d with \u201cover 5 Million Public Unsecured Global Wi-Fi networks found since beginning of 2025, with 33% of users connecting to public unsecured networks.\u201d<\/p>\n TSA\u2019s other warning for users to beware public charging points is just as steeped in controversy. Each year we see warnings about juice jacking, and this was given a new lease of life earlier this year with the introduction of choice jacking<\/a>.<\/p>\n Forbes\u2018One In Four\u2019 Smartphone Owners Must Upgrade This YearBy Zak Doffman<\/a><\/p>\n But while warnings persist, this is an overhyped threat and substantive claims of such attacks are rare. That said, if you\u2019re traveling and consider yourself a person at risk of cyber compromises, than it\u2019s on the list of offensive tactics to bear in mind. But it doesn\u2019t really lend itself to an indiscriminate, widespread attack.<\/p>\n
\n Do not download any software or provide any data other than an email address into a captive portal that gate-keeps your access to a WiFi network.
\n Ensure that all website connections are encrypted \u2014 check for the padlock, and do not enter any sign-in information into an unexpected popup on your device.
\n Check the WiFi network identifier carefully before joining \u2014 if it\u2019s a hotel, airport or mall, or even a coffee shop, be sure it\u2019s the official network for the location.
\n VPNs do make you more secure \u2014 but only reputable, paid VPNs from bluechip developers. A free VPN or a Chinese VPN is more dangerous than no VPN at all.<\/p>\n