The Real Cost of Free Wi-Fi

We’ve All Done It

You’re at the airport or your favorite café. You’re early, you’re settled, and you see those magic words: Free Wi-Fi.
You connect because it’s right there and it makes life easier.

What we often forget is that everyone else in that space is doing the same thing, and some of them look just like you. Same laptop, same coffee, same “just passing time” energy. The difference is that while you might be checking email or catching up on work, they might be doing their own work too. Their work just involves watching what people do online on open networks.

Threat actors are not always shadowy figures in dark rooms. Many are simply people travelling, waiting, or working remotely like everyone else. They blend in because they are part of the everyday crowd.

Why Public Wi-Fi Is Easy to Exploit

Public Wi-Fi feels convenient because it’s open. It’s risky for the same reason.
Here’s what this actually means for you:

Fake Wi-Fi networks:
Someone sets up a network name that looks legitimate, and people connect without thinking twice.
Once you join, they can see the apps you open or the sites you visit.
Avoid this by confirming the correct network name or using your mobile hotspot when you’re unsure.

Interception of traffic:
On open networks, your device is talking to the internet in plain view.
Someone nearby can quietly observe that activity if it isn’t protected.
A VPN or switching to mobile data makes this significantly harder for anyone trying to watch your traffic.

Automatic sharing settings:
Your device may try to connect to nearby printers or shared devices.
That can expose more than you intended.
Turning off file sharing, AirDrop, and device discovery in public places closes this door.

None of this requires advanced skills. The tools are easy to find, and the people who set these traps often look like regular travellers or remote workers.
They’re not targeting techy people or rich-looking people. They’re targeting whoever connects.

When Free Wi-Fi Affects Your Business

If you run a small business and offer customer Wi-Fi, the risk shows up in a different way.

If customers and your business devices share the same network, you’ve accidentally placed your internal systems in the open. Point of sale devices, staff laptops, and admin dashboards should never be on the same network as customers.

You don’t need an IT team to avoid this. Most routers have a simple option to create a guest network. It’s usually right on the main dashboard. Turning it on separates your business systems from the public side and protects the things that keep your business running.

What Not to Do on Public Wi-Fi

If you’re connected to public Wi-Fi, avoid:

• Logging into your bank or financial accounts
• Accessing business systems or dashboards
• Entering payment or personal information
• Trusting the network just because the name looks familiar
• Believing incognito mode protects your data

And even if you think “I’m just checking one email,” remember that if that password is reused anywhere else, it becomes an exposed key to multiple doors.

Safer Ways to Connect

If you really have to use public Wi-Fi, these steps help a lot:

• Use a VPN to encrypt your connection
• Switch to mobile data for sensitive tasks (e.g. online/Mobile Banking, emails)
• Only use websites that show the lock icon (HTTPS)
• Turn off AirDrop, file sharing, and device discovery
• Log out when you’re done
• Turn off auto-connect so your device doesn’t join random networks

Small habits that make a big difference.

How to Offer Wi-Fi Safely

If you provide Wi-Fi to customers, here’s how to keep everyone safe:

• Create a separate guest network
• Block access to internal business devices
• Turn on WPA3 encryption if available
• Change the default router password
• Keep router firmware updated
• Avoid using network names that reveal internal systems
• Use simple router alerts to spot unusual activity

This is quick to set up and goes a long way in protecting your business.

The Bottom Line

Threat actors often rely on one thing: people connecting without thinking.

Whether you’re travelling, working remotely, or offering Wi-Fi to your customers, awareness is your best advantage. The internet may be a shared space, but your information doesn’t have to be.

So next time you see “Free Wi-Fi,” take a moment and ask yourself:
Who else is connected, and what kind of work might they be doing?

TL;DR: Why Free Wi-Fi Isn’t Really Free

• Anyone nearby with the right tools can quietly see unprotected data
• Fake networks and open connections make it easy to slip in unnoticed
• Avoid banking, logging into sensitive accounts, or sharing anything private
• Use a VPN or mobile data when you need a safer connection

Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but it shouldn’t cost you your privacy.