No matter where you’re traveling, one frustration always awaits you—connectivity.

As soon as you leave your country, your smartphone will lose its connection to a network, rendering it utterly useless.

As soon as you land off the plane, you’ll probably start hunting for a nearby Wi-Fi network by instinct. For so long, travelers thought this was the only way to get connected online when overseas.

As convenient as these networks seem, connecting to public Wi-Fi can be hazardous. Though free, it can be extremely costly for your privacy and security due to potential hackers lurking on these networks.

So what’s a busy traveler to do? How can you enjoy reliable connectivity when overseas? And what are the real dangers to be aware of? Let’s explore how technology like eSIMs offers a safer online experience when traveling.

Dangers Of Using Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is now common around the world. This is when a network is open to anyone who wants to connect to and use the internet. It’s often readily available in tourist hotspots, including airports, hotels, shops, and more.

On paper, Wi-Fi networks seem like a traveler’s best friend. Sadly, most networks lack any sort of security measures. People use these networks at their own risk, but they rarely know just how exposed they can be when connected.

Below are some of the main dangers of using public Wi-Fi. By reading through these warnings, you might think carefully the next time you connect to one:

1. Man-in-the-middle attacks

One of the most significant risks of public Wi-Fi is exposing personal information. A savvy hacker can intercept your connection and eavesdrop on everything you do. This can take place during what’s known as a man-in-the-middle attack (MITM).

As the name suggests, the hacker positions themselves between you and the network. Unbeknownst to you, your online activity travels directly through them. In this way, the hacker can track your every single move online. They can see the websites you’re visiting, your login details, and more.

A hacker can use this information for various criminal activities, including identity theft, financial fraud, or taking over your personal accounts.

2. Malware infections

Public Wi-Fi networks are hotbeds for malicious software, known as malware. This is because hackers can use a variety of methods to install malware without you even knowing it.

For example, they can hack the network router and distribute malicious ads to your browser that may masquerade as crucial system updates or harmless advertisements. Once clicked, they install harmful programs onto your device.

Similarly, if you have file-sharing enabled, hackers can distribute malware across the network. Because public Wi-FI lacks any security scanning, files are sent unchallenged. When sent to your device, malware can then steal information and cripple your device’s performance. It can also encrypt files in an attack known as ransomware, which can be incredibly costly to resolve.

3. Fake “evil twin” Wi-Fi networks

Besides infiltrating genuine Wi-Fi networks, hackers can also create phony networks. This is known as an evil twin attack. Hackers name the network after a reliable entity, such as an airport lobby or a nearby café or shop, tricking you into thinking it’s legitimate.

Because they own the network, a hacker can track all your online activity. These fake networks mean you’re giving the hacker free rein to your information. Worse still, these fake networks look incredibly deceiving. It can be difficult to know just what is real and what is not.

4. Snooping and sniffing

Another risk of using public Wi-Fi networks is the threat of snooping. This occurs when a hacker targets the signal between your device and the router rather than your device itself. Hackers can use special software or devices to eavesdrop on Wi-Fi signals nearby, potentially gaining access to your online activity, financial data, and more.

The Answer To Your Connectivity Needs—eSIMs

Now that we know the dangers of public Wi-Fi networks, travelers will no doubt be hungry for a solution. What can they use to connect to the internet overseas safely and securely? Simple—eSIMs.

An eSIM is a digital version of a physical SIM card. It is already embedded within modern smartphone devices and is straightforward to set up. All you have to do is download an eSIM app, and you’re set to go. 

The core benefit of an eSIM is that it simplifies swapping networks overseas and lets you connect to your destination’s best local networks. But that’s not all. 

eSIMs can be a game-changer in protecting you when using the internet during a trip. How? Consider the following reasons:

1. eSIMs provide a dedicated connection

A core danger with public Wi-Fi is that many other users can use the same service. This introduces enormous risk and can leave you vulnerable. With an eSIM, you connect to the internet via cellular data. It means you, and only you can have access to it.

2. eSIM providers adhere to data protection

To connect to public Wi-Fi networks, you often consent to sending user data to the owner. They may ask for your email address and permission to track your activity. This helps them build a customer profile about you. Some may sell this information to marketers.

Handing over this information to illegitimate Wi-Fi providers can cause serious privacy issues. Thankfully, eSIMs help address data protection issues. Many providers have robust privacy policies, which you can read on their websites. These policies tell you exactly how your information is stored and protected.

3. eSIM apps are regularly updated to stay secure

A core problem with public Wi-Fi is that the router you connect to can be outdated. This can create a security risk as hackers develop new ways to exploit old technology.

With eSIMs, providers continuously upgrade and update their services. This means they will provide you with the latest security updates to secure devices, giving you immense peace of mind that you’re always on top of the latest cyber threats.

4. Reliable connections mean Wi-Fi networks are no longer needed

Finally, eSIMs are a superior choice to public Wi-Fi because of their reliability. eSIMs provide seamless connectivity across your destination, meaning you can connect online as soon as you land at an airport.

Public Wi-Fi can be risky in remote places. Hackers know travelers have few options in areas with limited connectivity. With an eSIM, you never will have to be at the mercy of these networks. The eSIM will strive to connect you to the best local networks. As such, you’ll always have reliable service to enjoy data from.

Conclusion

While public Wi-Fi has always been a lifeline for desperate travelers to go online, it’s no longer the best option. There are just too many security risks to consider. Though free to use, there is often a high price to pay connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks.

eSIMs have quickly become the best choice for those traveling to Europe for work or leisure. You’ll enjoy reliable coverage from the best networks of Europe eSIM providers and have peace of mind that your information will be kept safe.