Let's debunk some more common security myths with practical, real-world advice. The truth might surprise you!
This advice was absolutely true 15 years ago when most websites used unencrypted connections. But technology has advanced significantly since then.
The dramatic warnings about public WiFi come from an era before websites encrypted your data. Today's internet is much safer.
Why it's safer today:
• Most websites use HTTPS encryption (the padlock in your browser)—this means your data is scrambled between you and the website, even on public WiFi
• Modern browsers warn you loudly about insecure connections
• Your banking app has its own built-in encryption
• Email and shopping sites encrypt your login automatically
Practical advice for public WiFi:
About banking on public WiFi: The encryption is strong enough that it's technically safe. But if you're uncomfortable, just wait until you're home or use your phone's cellular data instead. Your comfort level matters!
The real risk—fake WiFi networks: The biggest danger is connecting to a fake WiFi network (sometimes called an "evil twin") that pretends to be legitimate. Someone sets up a network called "Starbucks_WiFi" that isn't actually Starbucks.
What happens if you connect to a fake network: The attacker can see what websites you visit and try to trick you with fake login pages. For example, they might show you a fake "sign in to continue" page that looks like Facebook or Gmail but is actually stealing your password. This is why you should:
• Always verify the network name with staff
• Be suspicious of multiple networks with similar names
• Never enter passwords on pages that appear unexpectedly
• Check that the padlock icon is there before logging into anything
This fear comes from something called "juice jacking," where modified USB ports could theoretically steal data while charging. Security researchers demonstrated this years ago, and the media ran with scary headlines.
You might have heard you need special "charge-only" cables or should never charge your phone at airports. But how real is this threat?
The reality check: There has never been a documented real-world case of "juice jacking" happening to a real person. Not one. This is a theoretical attack that works in security labs but isn't happening to regular people at airports.
Why it's not happening:
• It's extremely difficult and expensive to set up
• Modern phones ask permission before allowing data transfer
• The payoff is too low for the effort required
• It's much easier for criminals to just use phishing emails
Who should actually worry about this:
If you're a journalist covering sensitive topics, a government official, a CEO with trade secrets, or someone who genuinely has people trying to spy on you—then yes, be cautious. Bring your own charger and wall adapter.
For everyone else (99%+ of people): Use public charging stations without worry. Your holiday photos and emails aren't valuable enough to justify the enormous effort it would take to hack a public charging port.
Bottom line: You're more likely to leave your phone behind at the charging station than to have it hacked through the USB port. Focus on the real risks—like a dead battery when you need it most.
You may have heard about a VPN—which stands for Virtual Private Network. It's software that creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and a server somewhere else on the internet. Think of it like a private tunnel for your internet traffic.
VPN marketing has convinced many people that they're unsafe without a VPN running 24/7. Ads make it sound like hackers are waiting to steal your data the moment you go online. While VPNs have their uses, they're not the security silver bullet they're marketed to be.
First, what does a VPN actually do?
A VPN hides your internet address (IP address) and encrypts your internet traffic between your device and the VPN company's server. After that, your traffic goes out to the internet normally. So you're basically shifting who can see your activity from your internet provider to the VPN company.
When VPNs are actually useful:
• Accessing content restricted in your region (like streaming services that aren't available where you live)
• Preventing your internet provider from seeing which websites you visit
• Adding privacy when you specifically want it
What VPNs DON'T do:
• Protect you from phishing emails or scam websites
• Stop viruses or malware from infecting your device
• Make you anonymous online (the VPN company can still see everything)
• Protect your data on public WiFi any better than HTTPS already does
The public WiFi marketing trick: VPN companies love to say you need a VPN on public WiFi. But think about it—you have to connect to the WiFi first and usually log in through the coffee shop's webpage BEFORE you can even start your VPN. So what's the VPN really protecting during that time? Nothing.
Plus, most websites already encrypt your data with HTTPS (that padlock icon in your browser). This encryption works whether you use a VPN or not. The VPN just adds another layer that doesn't help much for regular browsing.
The reality: For most people browsing at home, you don't need a VPN. Your connection to secure websites (those with the padlock) is already encrypted. Focus on strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and recognizing scams instead—these protect you far more than a VPN ever will.