Tech
Using public wi-fi without taking a risk
The risks are narrower than they once were, and the remaining precautions are straightforward.
Nearly all web traffic is now encrypted in transit, which removes the classic risk of someone on the same network reading what you send. The browser indicating a secure connection is doing real work.
The remaining risks are a network impersonating a legitimate one, and devices configured to share files or connect automatically. Turning off automatic connection to open networks, and disabling file sharing, addresses most of it.
A reputable VPN adds protection on untrusted networks, principally by hiding which sites are being visited from the network operator. Free VPN services frequently fund themselves by selling exactly that information, which inverts the purpose.
Using a phone's own connection as a hotspot is often simpler and safer than any public network, and most plans include some allowance for it.
What to do next. Turn off automatic connection to open networks and file sharing, and use your phone's hotspot where the allowance permits.
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