Travelers heading through airports, hotels, and cafes this summer are being reminded to think about laptop security before joining public Wi-Fi. Open hotspots are convenient, but they can also expose personal data to criminals who watch unsecured wireless traffic.
The key recommendation is simple: use a reliable VPN before connecting to an airport or hotel network. A VPN can add a layer of protection by encrypting internet activity, making it harder for others on the same network to monitor what you are doing online.
That matters most when people are checking email, logging into accounts, managing travel plans, or handling sensitive information away from home. Public networks in busy travel settings are common targets because many users connect quickly without checking how secure the hotspot really is.
For laptop users, the takeaway is to treat public Wi-Fi as a risk and prepare in advance. Having a trusted VPN ready before a trip can help reduce exposure when using hotel, airport, or cafe internet access.