Why Free Hotel Wi‑Fi Can Put Your Bank Account at Risk

Connecting to free Wi‑Fi in hotels or airports has become routine for travelers, but cybersecurity experts say it is also one of the easiest ways for hackers to steal sensitive information. Without proper protection, passwords, bank details and other personal data can be exposed.

The article says attackers can monitor data traffic, steal login tokens, or create fake networks in a tactic known as a “evil twin,” which redirects unsuspecting users’ traffic to the hacker. The danger is not limited to stealing a password, because once inside a network, a criminal can take over accounts, lock users out, or make purchases in their name.

The main defense recommended is a VPN, which creates an encrypted tunnel between the device and the internet so outsiders cannot read the traffic. Experts also advise disabling automatic Wi‑Fi connections, using two-factor authentication as an additional barrier, and relying on a password manager to generate strong, unique passwords for each site.

Travelers are also urged to verify the exact network name with hotel or airport staff to avoid connecting to a lookalike fake network. For especially sensitive activity, such as logging into a bank account or shopping online, experts say it is safer to use mobile data or a known home network.