Public Wi-Fi hotspots can be very convenient when you’re using a phone, tablet, or laptop. In Norway, many cafés, hotels, airports, and public spaces offer free Wi-Fi to visitors and customers.
Whether you’re waiting for a flight, working from a hotel room, or checking messages during a coffee break, public Wi-Fi can make it easy to get online without using mobile data. However, these networks can also come with security risks — especially when they are open, shared, or poorly protected.
That’s why it’s a good idea to take a few simple precautions before signing in, browsing, or accessing sensitive accounts on public Wi-Fi.
Device protection on public Wi-Fi: quick settings that matter
Before connecting to public Wi-Fi in a hotel, on a train, or in a café, small adjustments can make a big difference. A few basic settings reduce your attack surface immediately and help protect your device — even before you turn on a VPN.
Turn off file and device sharing
File sharing can be useful at home, but it can be an unnecessary risk on open or unknown networks. Before joining a hotspot, make sure features like file sharing, network discovery, and shared folders are disabled. This helps prevent other devices on the same Wi-Fi network from seeing or accessing your files.
If your device is set up to share printers or media, it’s a good idea to pause those options as well until you’re back on a trusted network.
Manage saved networks and auto-connect
Auto-connect features are convenient, but they can also be risky. Attackers can create fake Wi-Fi hotspots with names that look familiar, which may cause your device to connect automatically.
To reduce this risk:
• remove networks you no longer use
• disable auto-join for public hotspots
• turn off Wi-Fi when you don’t need it
These simple steps help prevent unwanted connections and make public Wi-Fi safer — especially when combined with a VPN.
The risks of free VPNs
Free VPNs can be tempting, but they often come with trade-offs. Some free providers may rely on advertising, tracking, or data monetization to fund their service. In practice, this can mean less transparency about what is logged and how user data is handled.
Compared to reputable paid VPNs, free services may also lack important security features and maintenance, such as:
• reliable kill switch support
• frequent security updates
• clear transparency reporting
• strong leak protection (DNS, IPv6, or WebRTC leaks can still occur)
Performance is another common limitation. Free VPNs often have fewer servers, stricter bandwidth caps, and crowded networks, which can lead to slower speeds and less stable connections.In some cases, free VPN apps may request unnecessary permissions or include aggressive advertising. For users who rely on a VPN for sensitive activities — such as work, banking, or protecting personal accounts on public Wi-Fi — a trusted paid VPN is usually the safer and more reliable option.
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- How to Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi - January 18, 2026