Staying safe online on public Wi-Fi and abroad: whether hotel and airport Wi-Fi is safe, and whether you need a VPN.
Travel
Most websites and apps now encrypt what you send, so public Wi-Fi is usually fine. Here are the real risks, when a VPN is worth having, and what to check before choosing one.
Last checked 25 September 2026
Travel
A VPN can help on hotel and airport Wi-Fi, but it isn't essential for every trip. Here's what to check before you pay for one, and where using one could get you into trouble.
Last checked 22 September 2026
Travel
For browsing, maps and messaging, hotel Wi-Fi is usually fine. The risks are look-alike network names, sign-in pages that ask for too much, and a phone that joins networks on its own.
Last checked 22 September 2026
Travel
A VPN is useful for some people and unnecessary for others. Here is what it does, what it doesn't, and how to pick a trustworthy one.
Last checked 25 September 2026
Travel
For everyday browsing, airport Wi-Fi is usually fine. The risk is connecting to a fake network or typing details into a page you don't recognise.
Last checked 22 September 2026