Menu

Is airport Wi-Fi safe? What you need to know before connecting

Flying is one of the easiest ways to get around, with over 4.4 billion passangers being carried around by planes each year. And since most airports now offer public Wi-Fi, it’s tempting to connect without a second thought. But behind the convenience, there are some serious security risks. In this article, we tackle the most common questions about using airport Wi-Fi and share how you can stay safe while browsing in the terminal.

Are Wi-Fi networks at airports safe?

The advance of technology is a double-edged sword. It’s natural to assume that technological progress leads to improved security, especially when it comes to public Wi-Fi networks. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Bad actors are also taking advantage of these advancements, particularly in miniaturization and the decreasing cost of devices that can mimic mobile internet hotspots. While some of these devices may only cost a few hundred dollars, the potential damage they can cause could be worth thousands or even millions.

Additionally, in many airports (as it is with other public places), the responsibility for providing Wi-Fi falls on third-party companies, meaning the airport itself often has hardly anything to do with protecting the network from malicious activity. This is important to keep in mind, especially since airport security is among the tightest in public spaces and therefore it’s easy to assume that the Wi-Fi there is equally well-protected.

So, bottom line, public Wi-Fi networks at airports are anything but safe.

Are public Wi-Fi networks at airports safer now than they were before?

Public Wi-Fi networks are hardly safer now than they were before. For example, twinning attacks (also known as ‘evil twin’ attacks) — where an attacker sets up a fake Wi-Fi access point in the hopes that a potential victim connects to it instead of a legitimate one — are arguably easier to pull off today. This is due to the increased gullibility of people at airports and the small size of the devices needed for the attack, which can easily fit in the palm of a hand, making them appear inconspicuous.

When it comes to gullibility, people have become increasingly accustomed to public Wi-Fi. Since they are usually in a hurry at airports, they don’t think twice about connecting to a trustworthy-sounding public Wi-Fi network. These three key factors — the falsely presumed security of airport Wi-Fi (based on the notion that the airport itself is one of the most secure places in the world), the rush to get to their destination, and the ubiquity of public Wi-Fi services — contribute to making attacks targeting Wi-Fi users at airports more effective, not less.

How can you tell if an airport Wi-Fi network is safe?

First, you should check the network name. The correct name should be displayed somewhere in the airport, and if you’re unsure, ask the staff for confirmation. Twinning attacks are effective because bad actors set up Wi-Fi networks with similarly-sounding names. Watch out for spelling errors, extra dashes, or small differences. In other words, take your time, even if you’re in a rush. Also, make sure the website uses secure HTTPS before entering your credentials. Simply put, the URL of the website you’re connecting to should begin with https:// — the “s” indicates that the connection is encrypted.

Even these precautions do not guarantee that your airport Wi-Fi experience will be safe. There are more sophisticated types of attacks that are harder to pull off, but can still happen. A good rule of thumb is to assume that public Wi-Fi is never really safe.

Does using a VPN fully protect you on airport Wi-Fi?

A VPN will encrypt all of your internet connections, making them safer even on unsecured networks. So yes, using a VPN will protect sensitive data, such as social media logins, passwords, and banking details, from being stolen. When you’re connected to a VPN, even if someone intercepts your data, they won’t be able to make sense of it. This is because the data will be scrambled into an unreadable format, and can only be deciphered with a special decryption key that the attacker does not have.

To unscramble the data, the attacker would need the decryption key, and it’s highly unlikely that they would go to such lengths to retrieve your specific data. Usually, people who carry out these types of attacks are looking for easy targets — people who aren’t using protective measures like a VPN.

How to make sure you’re safe when using an airport Wi-Fi network?

Probably the most surefire way to avoid any trouble is to use your mobile hotspot at the airport. But, if you absolutely need to use an airport Wi-Fi network, then, firstly, check its name, and the website’s URL, and always use it with a VPN on.

Also, I would still not recommend sending important files while connected to a public WiFi network, and input your passwords and logins, especially those from your banking accounts, while connected to public Wi-Fi.

Liked this post?
9,332 9332 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard VPN
for Windows

Use any browser or app and never worry about your anonymity again. The entire world is at your fingertips with AdGuard VPN.
Learn more
Download
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement
9,332 9332 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard VPN
for Mac

In just two clicks, select a city from anywhere in the world — we have 70+ locations — and your data is invisible to prying eyes.
Learn more
Download
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement
9,332 9332 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard VPN
for Android

Remain anonymous wherever you go with AdGuard VPN! Dozens of locations, fast and reliable connection — all in your pocket.
Learn more
Google Play
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement
Download
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement
9,332 9332 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard VPN
for iOS

Boost your online protection by taking it with you wherever you go. Use AdGuard VPN to enjoy your favorite movies and shows!
Learn more
App Store
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement
9,332 9332 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard VPN
for Android TV

Discover AdGuard VPN for Android TV! Enjoy seamless streaming, enhanced security, and easy setup.
Learn more
Google Play
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement
Download
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement
9,332 9332 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard VPN
for Chrome

Hide your true location and emerge from another place in the world — access any content without speed limits and preserve your web anonymity.
Learn more
Install
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement

AdGuard VPN
for Edge

Get to a different location in one click, hide your IP, and make your web surfing safe and anonymous.
Learn more
Install
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement

AdGuard VPN
for Firefox

Protect your privacy, hide your real location, and decide to where you need the VPN and where you don't!
Learn more
Install
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement

AdGuard VPN
for Opera

Be a ninja in your Opera browser: move quickly to any part of the world and remain unnoticed.
Learn more
Install
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement
9,332 9332 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard VPN
for routers

Install AdGuard VPN on your router to secure your entire network. Decide which devices to protect and when This option is only available with an AdGuard VPN subscription
Learn more
9,332 9332 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard VPN
for Linux

Get the best free VPN for Linux and enjoy seamless web browsing, enhanced security, Internet traffic encryption, and DNS leak protection. Choose from multiple VPN servers and access the locations you want
9,332 9332 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard VPN
for Apple TV

Discover AdGuard VPN for Apple TV! Enjoy seamless streaming, enhanced security, and easy setup This option is only available with an AdGuard VPN subscription
Learn more
9,332 9332 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard VPN for Xbox

Protect your Xbox with AdGuard VPN and enjoy seamless online gaming, enhanced security, and easy setup This option is only available with an AdGuard VPN subscription
Learn more
9,332 9332 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard VPN
for PS4/PS5

Protect your PlayStation with AdGuard VPN and enjoy seamless online gaming, enhanced security, and easy setup. Choose from multiple VPN servers and access the locations you want
This feature is only available with an AdGuard VPN subscription
Learn more
9,332 9332 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard VPN
for Chromecast

Install AdGuard VPN on your Google TV (Chromecast Gen 4) or on your network router (Chromecast Gen 3) and enjoy streaming content with Chromecast while staying anonymous online and accessing content from anywhere. For Chromecast Gen 3, you need an AdGuard VPN subscription
Learn more
AdGuard VPN
download has started
Click the button indicated by the arrow to start the installation.
Scan to install AdGuard VPN on your mobile device