As we come upon that time of year when more people will be traveling, it is also a good time to remind you that cybercriminals will be taking advantage of the opportunity to try to gain access to your data. To help protect yourself when traveling or using public or unsecured Wi-Fi, such as in a coffee shop or an airport waiting area, we recommend using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to limit the data exposed.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) works by creating a secure, encrypted connection (or tunnel) between your device and the internet. The VPN software encrypts your data — meaning it scrambles your information so that no one (like hackers, ISPs, or public Wi-Fi snoopers) can read it. Additionally, it masks your IP address, protecting your location and identity from websites and online services.
If you plan on traveling for the holidays, we highly recommend using a third-party VPN for your internet security needs. There are several free options available, such as ProtonVPN or Hotspot Shield Free VPN. VPN is also moving directly into browsers, with Opera and Edge at home already including it, and soon, Firefox will join them. When using a mobile device on the free hotel Wi-Fi, you will want to protect that connection as well.
Updated 11/13/2025 to clarify details and add VPN options.
