Accessing the internet while traveling can be a bit challenging, especially if you have only limited options available to connect to the internet. One of the most common ways to stay connected to the internet while traveling is by using a public WiFi network. Public WiFi networks are available across multiple locations and you can use them to stay connected to the internet and check your emails, social media, and work obligations.
Although using public WiFi while traveling is convenient, there are several things that you should know about WiFi security while traveling and we have mentioned a few of them below.
1. Perform a Security Check-up on Your Devices Before Leaving
Just as you are packing for your trip and taking care of your luggage, your accommodation, your travel plans, and whatnot, you should also prepare your devices for traveling too. These days, almost everyone uses the internet while traveling and it is best to prepare your devices for traveling before leaving. You should update the operating system of all of your devices, install a credible antivirus program, and use strong encryption on your devices to keep them secure.
2. Double-Check Public Networks Before Joining
One of the most foolish mistakes you can make using WiFi while traveling is joining malicious and duplicate networks. It has become quite easy for hackers to deceive people into joining malicious and duplicate networks by mimicking legitimate WiFi networks and copying their SSID. You can find such malicious WiFi networks in public spaces and it is important that before you join any public WiFi network while traveling, you double-check the network instead of joining the network blindly.
Before you connect to a network, ask an employee or worker for the official network name and password so that you are sure that you are only joining the official network. Double-checking the network before joining is even more important when you are connecting to an in-flight WiFi service like Delta Wi-Fi on a flight. If a network seems legitimate but is not password-protected, chances are that it is a malicious or duplicate network.
3. For Sensitive Information, Avoid Public WiFi
If while traveling, you need to access your bank account, perform a financial transaction, or access any other sensitive information, it is better to use a secure network instead of a public WiFi network. A public WiFi network on the road isn’t always the safest option and there are other options available such as mobile data, in-flight WiFi, or travel router. It is best that you take care of all your financial transactions before you leave on your trip so that you don’t have to access these websites in the first place.
Even if you do have to access these websites for any reason, it is best to use your mobile data or WiFi from a travel router, as the connection will be more secure. In-flight WiFi is also a safe alternative and you can find more about in-flight WiFi on the United Wi-Fi information page.
4. Disable File-Sharing Option
Most computers and devices have file-sharing options that allow you to share files with people and devices on the same WiFi network. Before you embark on your next trip, you must ensure that you disable this feature. While traveling, most people tend to use public WiFi, as there are only limited ways to connect to the internet while traveling, and public WiFi is one of them. So before you leave on your trip, make sure that you turn off the file-sharing feature so that even when you join a network, no one is able to see the files on your device.
5. Disable WiFi
Another feature that you need to disable while traveling is the WiFi feature. While traveling, you should only turn on the WiFi feature when you need to use it and turn it off later on. When your WiFi feature is turned on, chances are that your phone might join an unsecured, public network automatically and it is better to have this turned off when you are not using it. Plus, when you are done using a public WiFi network, forget the network so that your device doesn’t save all the networks and automatically joins them as they are in range.
