Experts warn against using public Wi-Fi networks in airports, as they can easily be exploited by criminals to steal sensitive data. About 40% of Americans have reported data compromises while on such networks, despite many believing they are safe. With connectivity at airports crucial for travelers, they often fall victim to hackers, novices and experienced users alike. In 2024, losses from internet crime reached $16 billion. The FBI cautions that scams often involve fake Wi-Fi networks, heightening the risk of data breaches for unsuspecting users.
"It's definitely among the worst things you can do at an airport," Matthew Hicks, a cybersecurity expert and associate professor of computer science at Virginia Tech, told Travel + Leisure.
About 40 percent of Americans have had their data compromised while using a public Wi-Fi network, according to a recent Forbes Advisor survey of 2,000 workers who regularly use public internet.
"As nearly all aspects of our lives have become digitally connected, the attack surface for cyber actors has grown exponentially," B. Chad Yarbrough, operations director for the FBI's criminal and cyber unit.
Scammers also often try to trick travelers into logging onto fake Wi-Fi networks.
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