Is airport Wi-Fi safe to use?

Free airport Wi-Fi is genuinely useful — especially on a long layover — but it's also a well-known target for basic security risks, because it's an open network shared by thousands of strangers, and not every network is what it claims to be.

The real risks

• Fake hotspots that mimic an airport's official network name to intercept traffic from unsuspecting users
• Unencrypted traffic on open networks, which can potentially be observed by others on the same network
• Devices set to auto-connect to any open Wi-Fi, which can pick up a network you didn't intend to join

How to use airport Wi-Fi more safely

• Confirm the exact official network name with airport signage or staff before connecting — don't just pick the most convenient-looking option
• Avoid logging into banking or other sensitive accounts over public Wi-Fi if you can avoid it
• Turn off auto-connect to open networks in your phone's Wi-Fi settings
• Use a reputable VPN if you do need to access sensitive accounts on public Wi-Fi

Why a travel eSIM sidesteps a lot of this

If your BrisqNet eSIM is already active, you're connecting through a mobile network rather than a shared public hotspot, which removes most of the specific risks that come with open airport Wi-Fi. It's a genuinely simpler option when you land somewhere new and don't yet know which local networks to trust.