I went on vacation to Paris. I was sitting in a cafĂ©, sipping overpriced coffee and pairing it with a croissant. My laptop was open, my phone was uploading photos to the cloud, and I was checking my bank account to see if I could afford that vintage leather jacket I’d spotted earlier.
What I didn’t know was that someone three tables away was watching every keystroke.
Not with their eyes but with their computer. By the time I closed my laptop 20 minutes later, they had my email password, a copy of my passport scan, and enough information to make a decent attempt at accessing my bank account.
I only found out two weeks later when fraudulent charges started appearing. The coffee was €4.50.
I had learnt a major lesson.
Don’t let this be you.
What Public Wi-Fi Really Means
Public Wi-Fi is any wireless network that’s openly accessible without a unique, personal password. If that same password is shared with everyone who asks, it’s public Wi-Fi.
For travellers, these networks are lifelines. They’re how we video call home, navigate unfamiliar streets, book our next accommodations, and yes—manage our finances and work emails from 5,000 miles away from our secure home networks.
But guess what? Public Wi-Fis are also hunting grounds for unsuspecting people.
How hackers access travellers private data
1. Fake hotspot attacks
Anyone with a laptop and basic tech knowledge can create a fake Wi-Fi hotspot with a convincing name. “Airport Free WiFi.”, “Hotel Guest Network.”, “Coffeeshop Internet.”Â
These “evil twin” networks are perfect replicas designed to trick you into connecting. Once you do, the attacker becomes the middleman for everything you send or receive. Every website you visit, every password you enter, every file you download.
2. Eavesdropping on your traffic
Using freely available software called “packet sniffers,” someone on the same network can intercept and read the data packets flowing between your device and the internet.
3. The Invisible Interceptor
This is when a hacker secretly inserts themselves between you and the website or service you’re communicating with, silently reading and sometimes altering everything that passes between you without either side knowing they’re there.
4. Session hijacking
Many websites use “session cookies” to keep you logged in. These are like digital ID badges that say “this person has already entered their password.” On unsecured public Wi-Fi, attackers can steal these cookies through a technique called session hijacking or “side jacking.”
Once they have your session cookie, they can impersonate you on that website without ever knowing your password. They are you, as far as the website is concerned.
5. Malware injections
Attackers compromise public Wi-Fi routers to inject malware into the software update prompts or file downloads that appear on your device. Some public networks have been deliberately set up as malware distribution points. Others are legitimate networks that have been hacked and weaponised without the owner’s knowledge.
The malware doesn’t activate immediately. It sits quietly, gathering data, logging keystrokes, waiting for you to access something valuable—like your banking app.
How to Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi Networks as a Traveller
After my Paris wake-up call, I became obsessed with digital security. Here’s what actually works when you’re travelling:
1. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) religiously
A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel for your data, making it unreadable to anyone trying to intercept it. Even on compromised networks, your data appears as gibberish to attackers.
2. Verify network names with facility Staff
Don’t just connect to “Hotel_Guest_WiFi_5G”, ask the front desk what the actual network name is. This simple habit defeats evil twin attacks.
3. Turn Off Automatic Connectivity
Disable your phone automatic connectivity. This helps you make conscious decisions about which networks you join.
4. Use HTTPS Everywhere
Check for the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar. Many browsers now force HTTPS, but verify before entering sensitive information.
5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Even if someone captures your password, 2FA creates an additional barrier they can’t easily bypass.
6. Forget the Network When You Leave
Make your device forget public Wi-Fi networks after use. This prevents automatic reconnection to potentially compromised networks with the same name elsewhere.
7. Get an eSIM
Here’s a truth most travellers discover the hard way: the safest internet connection you can have abroad isn’t the free Wi-Fi at the airport or the hotel lobby — it’s your own.
It is important that you use the an eSIM that works in your destination country and purchase an eSIM before you arrive.
I highly recommend Getly eSIMs.
Getly is your go-to eSIM provider that gives you instant, private and affordable mobile data that works in 150+ countries.
No hunting for local SIM cards. No roaming charges that make your bank account weep. Just global connectivity.
Simply visit www.getly.app complete your KYC, purchase your eSIM, and you’re ready to go.
Why Getly eSIM Is the Security Solution Travellers Need
Getly isn’t just an eSIM provider—it’s your personal, encrypted internet connection in 150+ countries.
Here’s why it solves the public Wi-Fi security problem completely:
1. You Control Your Connection
With Getly’s eSIM, you’re not sharing a network with strangers and you’re not connecting to a router that might be compromised.
2. No More “Free Wi-Fi” Temptation
The reason travellers use dangerous public Wi-Fi is simple: they need internet access and it’s the only option available. Remove that need, and you remove the risk.
3. Instant Activation, Zero Vulnerability Window
Traditional approaches leave you vulnerable from the moment you arrive. .
4. Works in 150+ Countries
Whether you’re travelling to Spain, Singapore, South Africa or Sweden, Getly works everywhere. One app, one eSIM, global coverage.
5. Affordable Data Plans (Actually Affordable)
Getly’s data plans are genuinely affordable and you get the security of your own connection without the financial penalty.
Beyond Security: The Complete Travel Advantage
The security benefits are compelling enough on their own. But Getly’s eSIM offers additional advantages that make it indispensable for modern travellers:
1. No Physical SIM Swapping:
Keep your primary SIM active whilst using Getly’s eSIM for data. Receive calls and texts on your regular number whilst browsing securely on Getly.
2. Instant Top-Ups:
If you are running low on data, you can top up directly in the app.
3. 24/7 Support:
Getly’s support team is available around the clock. No being stranded without connectivity because the local SIM vendor’s shop is closed on Sundays.
Your Data Deserves Better
Here’s what I wish someone had told me before that cafĂ© in Paris: free Wi-Fi isn’t really free. The cost is just hidden in potential exposure, stolen information, and compromised privacy.
As travellers, we’re particularly vulnerable. We’re distracted by new environments, navigating unfamiliar cities, working across time zones while jet-lagged. We’re not thinking about digital security when we’re thinking about whether we’ll make our connection or if we ordered the right thing for dinner in a language we don’t speak.
But the people who want our data? They’re counting on that distraction.
The solution is to use the Getly eSIM that works in over 150 countries. It is an essential infrastructure for anyone who travels or simply exists in our connected world. For less than the cost of one overpriced airport coffee, you can ensure that every connection you make is secure, private and yours.
Conclusion
Your move: The next time you sit down in a café, airport, or hotel lobby and see that list of available Wi-Fi networks, ask yourself: am I protected, or am I exposed?
With Getly, you’ll always know the answer is the former.
Visit travel.getly.app to get started or download Getly on Playstore.
Twitter: Link to Getly’s Twitter
Instagram: Link to Getly’s Instagram
WhatsApp: Link to Getly WhatsApp
We’re here to assist you every step of the way.
Purchase your eSIM now before you travel and stay connected instantly the moment you arrive your destination country!