Using in-flight Wi-Fi comes with the same risks as connecting to any public Wi-Fi network. Unfortunately, in our rush to stay connected during a long flight, we often overlook this fact. However, it is important to take necessary precautions to protect yourself from common threats.
If you want to browse the internet while in the air, the best solution is to use a VPN. A VPN network encrypts your traffic securely, making it safe and private. I will explain here the potential risks associated with using in-flight Wi-Fi and how a VPN network is the ideal tool to protect yourself.
Check out my list of top VPN networks to keep yourself secure whether you are in the sky or on the ground.
Is in-flight Wi-Fi secure?
It is important to stay connected while traveling. During a long flight, you can take advantage of the Wi-Fi onboard to navigate your destination using online maps, stay in touch with friends and family, or find the best restaurants to visit upon landing.
However, public Wi-Fi networks, whether onboard an aircraft or at your local coffee shop, can be risky. If you connect to an insecure network, you may be vulnerable to hackers. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Forbes Advisor found that 43% of respondents were exposed to online security threats while using public Wi-Fi.
There are a few potential types of attacks that could be used against you when trying to connect to in-flight Wi-Fi. The most common is called a “Man-in-the-Middle” attack. This usually involves a hacker compromising a public Wi-Fi router and intercepting data being transmitted between the user and the network.
Another form of Man-in-the-Middle attack is known as an “Evil Twin” attack. It is common to see attackers create a fake Wi-Fi access point with a similar name to the real Wi-Fi network in order to lure unsuspecting users – think of “Frontier_01” instead of the official “Frontier”. These types of attacks typically require close physical proximity, making crowded planes a good target.
Such an attack occurred in Australia earlier this year when a man was caught creating fake Wi-Fi networks on flights. When unsuspecting users connected to his access points, they were redirected to a fake webpage asking them to log in using email credentials or social media logins, which were then copied and stolen.
When using any type of public Wi-Fi network, it is important to protect yourself. While some cautious security experts advise against connecting to in-flight Wi-Fi altogether, this may not be practical for many people. By taking some precautions, you can reduce the risk of inadvertently exposing your data on these networks.
How to stay safe while using in-flight Wi-Fi
Despite the potential risks of connecting to in-flight Wi-Fi, there are some easy steps you can take to protect yourself. First and foremost, always make sure you are connecting to the correct Wi-Fi network. If you are unsure or do not know the airline’s network name, it is best to ask a flight attendant.
The next best step is to use a VPN for all public Wi-Fi connections, even those at 35,000 feet. A VPN network will secure your connection and route all your traffic through an encrypted tunnel, keeping your data private from potential attackers.
Remember how I mentioned the number of people who have had their online security compromised while using public Wi-Fi? And the same survey showed that only 40% of people regularly use a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi. This leaves a large group of people unaware or choosing to ignore the risks. Don’t be one of those people.
A VPN network, like any of those in my list of top VPN networks, is a cost-effective and reliable solution. Alternatively, you can choose a VPN router device like the ExpressVPN Aircove Go or the Deeper Connect Air Portable VPN Router to seamlessly connect multiple devices to a VPN network while using public Wi-Fi.
These work by first connecting to the public network and then creating a new secure network through the router device. You can then connect all your devices to this router network and have them automatically run through a VPN.
Whichever method you choose, remember that spending a few minutes and investing a few dollars in the right precautions can help you avoid a lot of trouble in the future.
