Tyler Cross
Updated on: December 24, 2023
Short on time? Here’s the best VPN for airport Wi-Fi in 2024:
- 🥇ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN offers advanced security protocols to keep your data protected from any prying eyes. On top of that, it has a massive global server network, so no matter where you are, you can stay safe with ExpressVPN.
Taking advantage of airport Wi-Fi comes with certain risks. It’s awfully convenient, but accessing public networks like those at airports opens you up to criminals out to steal your information, hack your device, or even transmit malware right into your phone or laptop.
Put simply, you need a VPN to deal with these threats. A VPN encrypts your online traffic, keeping your data secure from prying eyes. But be warned: not all VPNs are created equal — some don’t provide the defenses necessary to protect you from the unique vulnerabilities of airport Wi-Fi.
That’s why I recommend ExpressVPN. Not only does it have all the security features you need to stay safe when using public Wi-Fi like military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and advanced protocols, but it also offers lightning-fast speeds. That said, there are other great VPNs out there, too, so read on to see which one will best suit your needs.
What Are the Risks of Using Airport Wi-Fi?
There are lots of ways cybercriminals can exploit airport Wi-Fi to harm innocent users. All unsecured public networks have similar vulnerabilities, but because airport networks are used by so many people from all over the world, they’re a particularly attractive target for hackers. Here’s an outline of some of the primary risks involved:
- Phishing scams and fake login pages. Hackers can create false login pages that mimic the airport’s actual Wi-Fi login portal, tricking users into entering personal information.
- Data sniffing and unencrypted connections. Without proper encryption, personal and financial data, including bank logins and card numbers, can be easily intercepted and stolen. Hackers have access to tools that can quickly capture unencrypted data.
- “Evil Twin” attacks. These involve the creation of a Wi-Fi network with a name similar to the official airport network. Unsuspecting users may connect to this false network, giving attackers access to their data.
- Man-in-the-Middle attacks. Attackers can intercept and alter communications between two parties without their knowledge. In an airport Wi-Fi setting, this might involve stealing login credentials or personal information.
- Malware distribution. Hackers can use airport Wi-Fi to spread malware to connected devices, allowing them to control or monitor the infected device.
- Exposure of sensitive information. Personal emails, passwords, and other sensitive information can be exposed if not encrypted.
- Tracking and invasion of privacy. Connecting to any public Wi-Fi network runs the risk of being tracked, and airports are a popular target. Governments and criminals alike have used airport Wi-Fi to ensnare innocent people and trawl for information.
If you’re going to use Wi-Fi at the airport, make sure you’re using a quality VPN like ExpressVPN. It’ll wrap your data in a tight layer of encryption and prevent any would-be hackers from stealing your info.
5 Ways to Protect Your Data While Using Airport Wi-Fi
1. Use a VPN
VPNs are the best way to protect your data while on a public network. Install ExpressVPN (or any other top VPN) and connect to a server of your choosing. Once connected, all of your data will be encrypted, meaning that no one, including the administrator or anyone else monitoring the network, can see what you’re doing online. They might be able to tell that you’re using a VPN, but that’s about it.
2. Use a Reputable Antivirus and Password Manager
Antiviruses like Norton provide you with real-time protection against malware as well as excellent web protection. If a hacker is able to get control over the network you’re connected to, this will prevent them from transmitting any malware to your device.
A good antivirus will also block phishing sites and other dangers encountered on the web. While Norton is my favorite, there are plenty of great options.
On that note, a password manager like 1Password will keep your passwords secure, which is another important protective measure against hackers.
3. Don’t Automatically Join Networks
Make sure your device isn’t set to automatically join Wi-Fi networks, as this presents a major security risk. It’s easy to change this setting — you can find the option under your device’s Wi-Fi settings. Keeping it off minimizes the risk that you’ll connect to rogue networks that will steal your information.
Carefully select the legitimate airport Wi-Fi when needed. It’s a good precaution to ask an airport employee the name of the Wi-Fi network to make sure what you’re connecting to isn’t a malicious “Evil Twin” network in disguise.
4. Avoid Entering Sensitive Information
When using airport Wi-Fi, resist the temptation to access sensitive information like banking or credit card details. If it’s really necessary to do so, ensure your connection is going through a secure VPN. If a hacker is watching you through a compromised network, typing in passwords or banking information is a surefire way to give them everything they need to rob you blind.
5. Use the Mobile Hotspot Feature
As an alternative to public Wi-Fi, consider using your phone as a mobile hotspot. This creates a Wi-Fi network powered by your phone’s cellular data. However, this may not be feasible for everyone. Data limits, phone plans, and provider policies can sometimes get in the way, but it’s certainly worth looking into.
If you use an iPhone, open up Settings, tap Cellular, and then select Set Up Personal Hotspot. From there, you just follow the onscreen instructions to get connected.
On Android devices, open Settings, tap Connections, then tap Mobile Hotspot and Tethering. You’ll be able to toggle it on from there.
3 Best VPNs for Airport Wi-Fi in 2024
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best overall VPN for using at airports in 2024.
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Versatile provider with great security for airport Wi-Fi.
- 🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Reliable VPN with advanced customization options.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Airport Wi-Fi in 2024
Approved by our experts
ExpressVPN is my go-to VPN for using airport Wi-Fi in 2024. It offers industry-leading security measures to ensure your safety while using public Wi-Fi networks, and best of all, you can do this without sacrificing speed or performance.
The security features ExpressVPN offers are top-notch. With military-grade 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch to disconnect you from the internet automatically if your VPN connection drops, ExpressVPN will keep you safe from prying eyes even if you’re connected to airport Wi-Fi.
ExpressVPN also offers various advanced extras, including:
- RAM-only servers: Temporary, highly secure servers that eliminate the risk of stored data and wipe all information on reboot.
- Verified no-logs policy: An audited no-logs policy ensures your activities aren’t recorded, so you can maintain complete privacy and anonymity while online.
- Perfect forward secrecy: Generates unique session keys, preventing compromise of past or future sessions if one key is cracked by hackers and therefore limiting damage from a hack.
- Full leak protection: Comprehensive safety mechanism that prevents accidental exposure of IP, DNS or WebRTC data, safeguarding your anonymity and security.
- ExpressVPN Keys. A free password manager that comes with every ExpressVPN subscription. It stores your password and helps you create new secure passwords.
- Threat Manager & an ad blocker. Blocks ads, trackers, and malicious sites.
The lightning-fast speeds you get with ExpressVPN are another reason it tops my list. Airport Wi-Fi usually isn’t the fastest, and most VPNs will slow your browsing speed to a crawl if you connect before a flight. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, boasts incredible speeds. This is thanks in large part to Lightway, ExpressVPN’s advanced proprietary protocol. When I used it, I found my speeds were barely slower compared to when I connected without a VPN.
ExpressVPN’s server network is very extensive, too, with servers in 105 countries. This helps with speed (because the servers aren’t overburdened) and means you can almost always connect to a nearby server, regardless of which airport you happen to be at.
ExpressVPN’s plans start at $6.67 / month. All plans come backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Budget-Friendly VPN With Great Performance
Private Internet Access (PIA) is an affordable but high-quality VPN. With strong speeds and a commitment to security, it provides essential and advanced features without breaking the bank. It’s an ideal choice for budget-conscious users alert to the risks of airport Wi-Fi.
I like that you can choose between 3 protocols with PIA: OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPSec (only available on iOS). WireGuard offered the fastest speeds in my tests, but none of the protocols could quite match the speeds I got with ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol. PIA also gives you the option to pick either 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption — 128-bit is slightly less secure but can give you slightly faster speeds.
PIA runs on RAM-only servers and has a no-logs policy that has been independently verified. There’s also a kill switch and full leak protection. Together, these tools will protect you from the risks of connecting to airport Wi-Fi networks.
On the whole, PIA is well designed, highly intuitive, and full of features. It’s super customizable without being overwhelming. Another quality of life feature it offers is PIA MACE, which is a great ad blocker. MACE also blocks trackers, which is excellent for protecting your online privacy.
Another plus is that PIA has a truly massive network, with servers in 91 countries and every US state. This makes it easy to keep your speeds up by connecting to a nearby server, regardless of where you fly. That said, even on the nearest servers I found my speeds were slightly slower than with ExpressVPN.
Private Internet Access’s plans start at $2.11 / month. No matter what plan you go for, you’ll get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Advanced Customization Options
CyberGhost VPN offers exceptional levels of customization and automation. What’s more, it’s secure and fast, making it a great choice for privacy-conscious users. It’ll protect you wherever you go, airports included.
With 11,528 servers in 100 countries, CyberGhost has a huge worldwide network. It earns my recommendation because it can be relied on at airports everywhere. What’s more, it has several different types of servers. There are NoSpy servers (which only CyberGhost employees have access to), servers optimized for gaming, for torrenting, and more. You can even pay extra for a dedicated IP address from 10+ countries that no one else will have access to.
Maintaining a good connection speed is important on airport Wi-Fi, which tends to be pretty slow to start with. CyberGhost does pretty well on this front, with an average speed reduction of just 32% during my tests. Still, ExpressVPN was faster when I compared the two.
CyberGhost offers military-grade security, too — it has every feature you’d expect, like 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy. Plus, thanks to its Smart Rules, you can tweak all these features to your liking and even automatically connect to a VPN while using public Wi-Fi (it’s a good idea to have this setting turned on, especially whenever you go to an airport).
CyberGhost is based in Romania, which is outside of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances and doesn’t have data retention laws. Coupled with its advanced security features like RAM-only servers, full leak protection, and more, it’s a great way to keep your device and personal information safe at any airport around the world.
CyberGhost VPN has plans starting at $2.03 / month. The monthly plan comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee, while the longer-term plans offer a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
What to Do if You’ve Been Hacked While Using Airport Wi-Fi
If you believe you’ve been hacked, don’t panic or give the hackers any money or additional information. If hackers have a way to steal your money, they’ll do it without contacting you anyway. If you’re receiving odd messages or seeing other suspicious signs, take these steps immediately:
- Cut connections. Immediately disconnect from Wi-Fi and disable any Bluetooth connections. This stops potential ongoing access to your device.
- Notify financial institutions. Contact your bank and credit card providers to alert them about potential unauthorized access. They can monitor or freeze accounts as needed.
- Reset passwords. Update all your passwords, particularly those for email, banking, and social media accounts. Use a quality password manager to create and store strong and unique passwords.
- Install updates. Ensure all software, apps, and security utilities are up-to-date. This is important to do as it fixes possible security gaps.
- Run security checks. Perform a full scan of your device with reputable antivirus software to locate and eradicate any malware.
- Download a VPN. Use a trustworthy VPN, like ExpressVPN, for future public Wi-Fi connections to enhance security and privacy. They encrypt your data so hackers can’t read it.
- Monitor activity. Regularly inspect your bank and online accounts for any unfamiliar transactions or activities. Remember that sometimes hackers leave behind a “ticking time bomb” that stays dormant before activating and stealing your data when you least expect it.
- Utilize 2FA. Implement two-factor authentication on your accounts to bolster security, making unauthorized access more difficult.
- Examine installed applications. Inspect your device’s applications and uninstall any that seem odd or unrecognized.
- Adjust network preferences. Reset your device’s network settings to erase stored Wi-Fi credentials, avoiding unintentional connections to unsecured networks.
- Consult with a professional. If in doubt or after a major hack, consult with a cybersecurity expert to assess and rectify any lingering vulnerabilities.
What Can Happen if You Use Airport Wi-Fi Without Protection?
Using airport Wi-Fi without proper protection can leave you vulnerable to a wide array of threats, which can have serious consequences. The convenience of free connectivity comes with significant risks, which can have long-lasting impacts. Here’s a concise look at what can happen:
- Theft of personal information and financial losses. Hackers can steal personal details, banking information, or credit card details, leading to unauthorized purchases and emptied bank accounts.
- Account hacking and identity theft. Without encryption, your online accounts can be hacked, and personal information can be used to impersonate you or to commit fraud.
- Corporate risks. Business travelers may expose sensitive company information by using airport Wi-Fi without protection.
- Malware infections. Unprotected Wi-Fi connections can leave you vulnerable to malware infections that corrupt or lock your files.
- Legal and reputational damage. Your device might be used for illegal activities, or social media accounts could be hijacked to post damaging content, leading to legal issues or personal embarrassment.
- Long-term security vulnerabilities. Continuing risks may persist even after disconnecting, such as ongoing access to your device or information.
The only way you can reliably get around these problems is with a good VPN. Options like ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access encrypt your data, making it impossible for hackers to intercept it. On top of that, they’ve got security features like a kill switch to automatically disable your connection if the VPN turns off, ensuring complete protection from any would-be hackers lurking in airport Wi-Fi networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a VPN slow down my connection?
VPNs can cause reductions in connection speeds. This is an inevitable result of the process of encrypting and sending your data through a secure server. With quality VPNs like ExpressVPN, though, this impact is minimal, and by selecting a server close to your location, the speed reduction is almost negligible.
However, some VPNs may slow your connection more significantly. ExpressVPN is known for maintaining high speeds and providing a global network of servers to ensure the best connection, regardless of your location. That said, all of my top VPNs are fast with large server networks, so you really can’t go wrong.
What is the fastest VPN to use at an airport?
The fastest VPN for airports is ExpressVPN. It’s known for its superior speeds and high level of reliability even on public Wi-Fi networks. Plus, since it has a global server network, you’ll be able to connect to a nearby server for the best speeds, regardless of where you are.
ExpressVPN uses its proprietary Lightway protocol to ensure the fastest connections — so whether you need to stream, download, or work, ExpressVPN offers quick and secure connectivity, preserving your online experience while waiting for a flight.
Is airport Wi-Fi always unsafe?
Airport Wi-Fi isn’t inherently unsafe, but like all open networks, it’s prone to certain vulnerabilities. Hackers can easily take advantage of the open network to steal your information, tap into your devices, or even obtain your financial information and passwords — and airport networks are a particularly appealing target because of the large number of people from all over the world who connect to them.
A reliable VPN like ExpressVPN can provide the necessary encryption and security to keep your data safe. Even on public networks like those in airports, a VPN shields your information, meaning it’s vital to use a VPN during travel to ensure your online security.
What is a kill switch and do I need one at the airport?
A kill switch immediately cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops, preventing accidental data leaks. It adds an extra layer of security to your online activities, especially in public spaces like airports.
I recommend always using a kill switch when connecting to airport Wi-Fi. Whether you use ExpressVPN or another reputable service, a kill switch will ensure that your personal and sensitive information remains protected. It’s a critical feature that provides peace of mind while connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.
