CONNECTION SAFETY
Public Wi-Fi Safety Checklist for Your Phone
Reduce avoidable risk at airports, hotels, cafés and other shared networks.
Confirm the network name
Ask staff for the exact network name and sign-in method instead of choosing the strongest signal. A nearby network can use a similar name to imitate a venue. Avoid networks that unexpectedly ask you to install a profile, certificate or app. If the venue does not provide Wi-Fi details, use mobile data or your own hotspot for anything important.
Separate casual and sensitive tasks
Reading news is different from signing into banking, changing an account password or opening confidential work files. Save sensitive activity for a trusted connection whenever possible. Modern encrypted websites improve protection in transit, but they do not make an unknown network owner trustworthy or protect you from a fake website.
Check the page before signing in
Public networks often open a captive portal with terms or a room number. That page should not need the password for your email, social media or banking account. Close pages that request unrelated credentials or payment details you did not expect. After the network connects, type the address of the service you need or use its official app.
Turn off unnecessary sharing
Disable file sharing, AirDrop visibility to everyone and other discovery features while on a public network. Keep the phone and apps updated, and leave the firewall or built-in security controls enabled. A reputable VPN can add protection between your device and its VPN server, but it cannot make a phishing page genuine. Choose a provider based on its privacy practices, not a pop-up promising complete anonymity.
Forget the network when finished
Disconnect and use the phone’s Forget This Network option so it does not reconnect later without your attention. Turn off auto-join for open networks and review saved networks occasionally. If you entered credentials on a suspicious page, change the password through the real service and review recent account sessions. Do not wait for an alert before acting.