Staying Safe on Public Wi-Fi: Your Complete Guide

September 19, 2025

Public Wi-Fi is everywhere, in cafés, airports, hotels and co-working spaces, but it often comes with hidden risks. To help you browse confidently, we’ve created four in-depth guides covering the essentials of Wi-Fi safety and VPN protection. Here’s a snapshot of each to dive deeper.

 

1. Why Public Wi-Fi Can Be Risky

Public hotspots are convenient but vulnerable to snooping, fake networks and malware. Even with HTTPS, attackers may still see which sites you visit. This guide explains the threats and why tools like a VPN make a critical difference.

2. What Is Safe (and Not Safe) to Do on Public Wi-Fi

While casual browsing on encrypted websites is usually safe, sensitive tasks, like online banking or shopping, should be avoided unless additional protection is in place. This guide outlines which tasks are low-risk and which to save for a secure connection.

3. Safe Practices for Using Public Wi-Fi

If you must connect, there are steps you can take: verify the network, stick to HTTPS, disable sharing, and keep your device updated. This practical guide lists the key habits that make open networks safer to use. 

4. Does a VPN Really Protect You on Public Wi-Fi?

A VPN encrypts your traffic, hides your IP address and shields your browsing from prying eyes, even on hotel or airport networks. This guide explains how VPNs work, what they protect you from, and their limitations.

Explore each article to learn how to reduce risks, apply best practices, and understand how a privacy-first browser with built-in VPN can make public Wi-Fi safer. Public Wi-Fi doesn’t have to mean taking risks. With Max Browser, you get built-in protection designed for travellers and everyday users alike. Our free 10GB/month VPN helps you encrypt traffic and access the web securely from anywhere, while the ad and tracker blocker prevents unwanted snooping and speeds up browsing on slow networks. Plus, our no-logs policy ensures your activity stays private even on the busiest café or airport Wi-Fi.