When traveling, staying connected has become *** necessity. Wi Fi or connectivity is very much like water and air, but experts warn free and public Wi Fi access points can be fraught with danger. Personal data can be big business for hackers and scammers, leading to an ever growing number. Of threats to be aware of, *** big one, the man in the middle or evil twin Wi Fi scam, *** Wi Fi network that looks like the real legitimate one, but it's actually run by somebody who could be very nearby trying deliberately to intercept your data, passwords, logins. They could even hack into your computer. Internet security expert and CEO president Eric Plam says these are some things to remember when connecting to that cafe, airport, hotel, or other public and free Wi Fi. Be wary if it's too easy, even if free. Cafes, airport lounges, or hotels often ask for *** password or room number. Once you do connect, check to make sure you're browsing on *** secure site. You can do that by looking at where you type in *** web address. It should say HTTPS. There also might. Be *** symbol of *** padlock, though this isn't always guaranteed to be safe according to the FBI. You should also refrain from logging into bank accounts or conducting sensitive transactions. And if you want to go *** step further, buy *** VPN or virtual private network, *** service provided by lots of different vendors, which creates *** secure tunnel between your device and whatever site you're visiting. But the best option, according to plan, use your own hotspot. This is the most secure and convenient way to go. In Washington, I'm Michael Yoshida reporting.
The hidden dangers of public Wi-Fi
![CNN logo]()
Updated: 8:16 PM CDT May 26, 2025
As the summer travel season heats up, travelers are urged to protect their private information from cyber threats when connecting to free Wi-Fi at cafes, airports, and other public places.Internet security expert Eric Plam, who is also the president of a company that produces mobile hotspots, SIMO, emphasized the importance of connectivity, likening it to "water and air." However, he warned that "free and public Wi-Fi access points can be fraught with danger."Hackers and scammers target personal data, with threats like the "man in the middle" or "evil twin" Wi-Fi scam posing significant risks. Plam explained, "Which is a Wi-Fi network that looks like the real legitimate one, but it's actually run by somebody who could be very nearby trying deliberately to intercept your data. Passwords, logins, they could even hack into your computer."To safeguard data, Plam advised travelers to be cautious when connecting to public Wi-Fi. He recommended checking for a password or room number requirement at cafes, airport lounges, or hotels. Once connected, users should ensure they are browsing secure sites by looking for "HTTPS" in the web address and a padlock symbol, though the FBI notes this isn't always a guarantee of safety.Plam also advised against logging into bank accounts or conducting sensitive transactions on public Wi-Fi. For added security, he suggested purchasing a virtual private network (VPN) to create a secure tunnel between the device and the site being visited.
As the summer travel season heats up, travelers are urged to protect their private information from cyber threats when connecting to free Wi-Fi at cafes, airports, and other public places.
Internet security expert Eric Plam, who is also the president of a company that produces mobile hotspots, SIMO, emphasized the importance of connectivity, likening it to "water and air." However, he warned that "free and public Wi-Fi access points can be fraught with danger."
Hackers and scammers target personal data, with threats like the "man in the middle" or "evil twin" Wi-Fi scam posing significant risks. Plam explained, "Which is a Wi-Fi network that looks like the real legitimate one, but it's actually run by somebody who could be very nearby trying deliberately to intercept your data. Passwords, logins, they could even hack into your computer."
To safeguard data, Plam advised travelers to be cautious when connecting to public Wi-Fi. He recommended checking for a password or room number requirement at cafes, airport lounges, or hotels. Once connected, users should ensure they are browsing secure sites by looking for "HTTPS" in the web address and a padlock symbol, though the FBI notes this isn't always a guarantee of safety.
Plam also advised against logging into bank accounts or conducting sensitive transactions on public Wi-Fi. For added security, he suggested purchasing a virtual private network (VPN) to create a secure tunnel between the device and the site being visited.
