Protected public Wi-Fi with a VPN

Does a VPN protect you on public Wi-Fi?

Yes, a VPN protects your internet traffic on public Wi-Fi. If anyone were to try and snoop on your web traffic or access your device on unsecured networks, they would need to break through a layer of encryption. That’s why we always recommend a VPN for those who frequently use public Wi-Fi.

How does a VPN protect you on public Wi-Fi?

A VPN protects your online activity by redirecting your internet connection through a private internet server — your real IP address is hidden, and your activity is obscured. Anyone trying to spy on you won’t be able to see past the VPN’s encryption protocols. Even though you’re not using a secure Wi-Fi connection, the VPN adds a layer of security so you don’t need external protection. 

It’s rare to find genuinely secure Wi-Fi networks outside your home. Public connections often have minimal security, making them easy for criminals to access. These unsecured networks give hackers a great opportunity to target new victims. 

Many bad actors also set up their own routers near public spaces and give them innocuous names like “Free train Wi-Fi.” When commuters unthinkingly connect to the network, their private data is exposed. 

Is it safe to use public Wi-Fi with a VPN?

So is public Wi-Fi dangerous? It could be if you’re not using added cybersecurity protection, like a VPN. Public connections often have minimal security, making them easy for criminals to access. These unsecured networks give hackers a great opportunity to target new victims.

When hackers take advantage of free public Wi-Fi networks, they’re after your personal information — any and all of it. Some examples of valuable data that could be exposed through free Wi-Fi include: 

• Your email login information.
• Your bank details.
• Your personal photos and videos.
• Your home address.

What public Wi-Fi dangers does a VPN protect against?

Hackers use a variety of creative strategies to infiltrate public Wi-Fi networks, spy on your online activity, and steal your data, including: 

• Evil twin attacks. It’s easy to rename routers, so cybercriminals will create fake Wi-Fi networks that look like legitimate public ones. For example, they might set up a network called “Starbucks_Wifi_Free” near a local Starbucks, hoping to fool you into exposing your data. Since the name of the network looks legitimate, many customers will connect without realizing that a hacker is behind it. 
• Malware injections. Hackers use insecure public connections to slip malware onto your computer without you noticing. Malware can reduce your bandwidth, damage your system, and give hackers a backdoor into your personal files. 
• Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. With this technique, the hacker intercepts communications between your device and the public Wi-Fi hotspot. This step allows them to monitor your activity or even control your traffic. Some hackers will even use this technique to redirect you to fake login pages that ask for credentials or banking details. 
• Wi-Fi sniffing. This happens when hackers intercept and monitor your data packets while using public Wi-Fi. Unlike MITM attacks, Wi-Fi sniffing is a form of passive snooping, so hackers could be stealing your data undetected.

Enhancing public Wi-Fi with a secure VPN connection will render the majority of these attacks useless. The encryption process shields all your data from prying eyes. While the hacker will be able to see that you are connected to the public Wi-Fi network, they won’t be able to see the details of the traffic transmitted.

What are the pros and cons of using a VPN on Wi-Fi?

The benefits of using a VPN on public Wi-Fi include improved privacy and peace of mind, allowing you to browse the internet stress-free wherever you are. However, VPNs do have some small downsides you should be aware of.

How secure are you on public Wi-Fi?

A survey of US adults found that 69% of people access public Wi-Fi at least once per week, with 38% of people saying they connect to public Wi-Fi networks daily. 

Most of these users don’t take proper security measures when connecting to public networks. 47% of people said they have connected to a public Wi-Fi network without making sure it’s legitimate first. 

However, many people are becoming more aware of the risks associated with public Wi-Fi networks. Another recent survey found that 57% of people don’t feel safe when using public internet networks. Up to 43% of US adults now have VPNs to protect their digital privacy, and many of them rely on VPNs when connecting to public networks. 

The more people that have access to a public hotspot, the higher the risk if you connect to it without a VPN. Some of the riskiest locations for public Wi-Fi connections include airports, train stations, hotels, restaurants, cafes, and parks. Approximately one-quarter of people who use public Wi-Fi regularly have experienced a security issue on these public networks. 

Does a VPN secure your browsing history from a Wi-Fi owner?

A VPN protects your browsing history from Wi-Fi network owners. It does this by encrypting your traffic, making it virtually impossible for anyone else on the network to view.

Without a VPN, the owner of a public Wi-Fi network could potentially see your browsing history, depending on the specific router they’re using. Modern Wi-Fi routers keep logs of which domains you visited and how long you spent on them. If you browsed a website without proper TSL/SSL encryption, the router could also log the exact pages you read and any information you entered. 

The risk is even higher when you connect to a public Wi-Fi network on a mobile device. In this situation, the Wi-Fi network owner could see which pages you visit, which apps you’ve used, and how long you’ve used them for. 

Other ways to stay safe on public Wi-Fi

When you’re out and about, sometimes you have no choice but to connect to a public Wi-Fi network. In addition to using a VPN, you can take a few other steps to stay safe on public Wi-Fi:

• Turn off auto-connect. Many devices have a feature that will automatically connect you to open Wi-Fi networks nearby. When auto-connect is enabled, you could end up accidentally connecting to a risky network. Turn this feature off in your device settings, and make sure to manually check every Wi-Fi network whether it’s secure before connecting. 
• Keep your firewall enabled. If you have a firewall for your personal devices, make sure it’s turned on at all times, no matter where you are. Firewalls filter out malicious web traffic based on your security settings. 
• Check website URLs for security. When visiting a new website, check to make sure the URL begins with “HTTPS” rather than “HTTP.” The “S” in the URL indicates that the website uses a secure communication protocol to encrypt the data it sends and receives. Websites without this protocol are more vulnerable to cyberattacks and can expose your data. 
• Use antivirus software. This software scans the files on your device for viruses and other malware. Even if malware does make it onto your device, the antivirus program will stop it from spreading and compromising your files. 
• Use multi-factor authentication. Many apps and websites now use multi-factor authentication, which means you need to enter both your password and a one-time code to access your account. This means that even if a hacker steals your password, they still won’t be able to log in to your devices. 
• Keep track of your personal devices. Make sure you know where your laptop, smartphone, and other digital devices are at all times. Don’t leave them alone where someone could break into them. 

How to stop a hacker on public Wi-Fi

The best way to protect yourself against hackers on a public Wi-Fi network is to educate yourself. Once you’re aware of the security risks you face, you’ll know how to prevent them. Follow these steps to stop hackers on public Wi-Fi before they cause damage: 

• Disable automatic connections. If you regularly use Wi-Fi scanning to connect to open networks, you may inadvertently latch on to a risky network. 
• Verify networks before connecting. If you’re using the public Wi-Fi network of a popular fast-food restaurant or coffee chain, ask the staff for the exact name you need to search for.
• Avoid logging into sensitive accounts. When tethered to public Wi-Fi, don’t access online accounts that contain sensitive information. If a hacker is sniffing around the network, they could pick up details like your name, birthday, bank account info, and more. 
• Turn off file sharing features and check your firewall. File sharing is convenient when you’re on your home network, but it could expose your data if you use it on public Wi-Fi. Make sure your firewall and anti-malware software are always turned on as well. These are simple checks that often get overlooked. 

How to choose the best VPN

With so many providers out there, it’s hard to choose the best VPN for your needs. Consider these factors when making your decision:

• Strong encryption. Make sure your VPN uses the most up-to-date encryption standard to guarantee a secure connection.
• Robust security features. Look for a VPN that has features like a kill switch to disconnect you from the internet if you lose your VPN connection, or DNS leak protection to ensure your device only uses DNS servers that belong to your VPN providers. Your VPN provider should also have a server network that conceals your VPN use from your ISP. Auto-connection is another great feature because it ensures your VPN is always on. 
• Live customer support. This feature ensures you can get help quickly if any problems arise. 
• Multi-device support. With a single account, you should be able to protect several mobile phones and laptops, including the ones that belong to your household members. Make sure the VPN is accessible on your smartphone at all times because this is likely the device you use the most with public Wi-Fi.
• Router configuration compatibility. You should be able to set up your VPN on your home or office router to put all of the devices in the network under VPN protection.

Pro tip: According to the VPN usage survey, in 2025, more Americans are paying for VPNs than last year, while the share of free users has remained virtually unchanged. Outside the US, about a third of VPN users still rely on free services. We strongly advise against using free VPNs, because they are often unreliable and may compromise your privacy.

Most free VPN providers monetize their activities by collecting your data, passing it on to third parties, and using that data to serve you targeted ads. These VPNs also have limited functionality and are prone to data breaches. In the end, free VPNs might do more bad than good. 

The advantages and features you get by choosing NordVPN make it a great VPN for public Wi-Fi:

• Trusted security. There’s a reason NordVPN was named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2022. With NordVPN, your online activity will be protected and completely private because NordVPN offers a no-log service with no user tracking.
• Strong encryption. Our servers are secured with an AES-256 cipher — the same kind of encryption that governments use for their own systems. If you want to take your security to the next level, you can use Double VPN to run your traffic through two different servers and get twice the encryption. 
• Widest coverage. NordVPN offers servers in more countries around the world than any other reliable VPN provider. 
• Easy setup. All you need to do is download the NordVPN app, subscribe to the most suitable plan, and open the app to connect. Just press the button and your connection is secured — it’s that simple.
• Protection for up to 10 devices. NordVPN allows you to secure all your personal devices, or share the service with your loved ones to protect some of their devices as well. It’s also available on all major operating systems.
• A bundle of features. NordVPN comes with a wealth of security features: Threat Protection, Kill Switch, and Dark Web Monitor. For example, Threat Protection Pro™ will automatically stop you from entering blocklisted sites, stop autoplaying and invasive ads in their tracks, and even automatically delete files that you are trying to download if they harbor malware. If you aren’t sure which NordVPN plan to choose, take a look at the NordVPN bundle deals and choose the one that best suits your needs.