Posted on 28th January 2025| By Steve Richards

I remember sitting in my hotel lobby in Thailand. I was about two days into my trip back in 2019.

I needed to renew my car insurance back home, and so, with my laptop open and ready to log in to my banking app, it suddenly dawned on me. 

Like everyone around me, I'd eagerly asked for the public Wi-Fi password the moment I checked in. It's normal practice, right?

But noticing everyone around me, eyes glued to their phones, made me stop and think for a moment. How do I stay secure on public Wi-Fi?

After all, we’ve all heard the horror stories of people's personal data being hacked. That moment changed how I think about public Wi-Fi forever. 

And with a study by Forbes showing 43% of unsecured network users have had their data compromised, that pause may have saved me from becoming another statistic.

The Wake-Up Call: Public Wi-Fi Isn't What You Think

To be honest—we're all guilty of it. 

Walking into cafés, hotels, or airports and immediately asking for the Wi-Fi password. It's the next thing we do after ordering our coffee. 

But here's the sobering reality: in 2024, over a quarter of public Wi-Fi networks were vulnerable to attack, according to cybersecurity researchers.

What really got my attention was learning that it takes hackers just 2 seconds to intercept data on an unsecured network. They can:

• Intercept your data as it travels between your device and the internet
• Set up fake networks that look legitimate (87% of consumers have potentially exposed data to these networks)
• Capture your passwords, credit card details, and personal information

With identity theft affecting 15 million Americans annually and the average victim losing $1,100, that free Wi-Fi suddenly doesn't seem so free anymore.

What Is A VPN, And Why Should We Use One?

Think of a VPN (Virtual Private Network) as your own personal, secure tunnel through the internet. Normally, when we browse online, our data travels in the open—like sending a postcard that anyone can read. 

A VPN wraps your data in layers of encryption—turning that postcard into a locked safe.

Here's what happens when you use a VPN:

1. Your data gets encrypted before leaving your device

2. It travels through a secure server in a location you choose

3. Only then does it head to its final destination on the internet

This means that even if someone is monitoring the Wi-Fi network you're using, all they'll see is scrambled, unreadable data. Your real location and identity stay hidden, and your sensitive information remains secure.

But protection against Wi-Fi snooping is just the start. 

A VPN also:

• Prevents your internet provider from tracking your browsing
• Helps avoid price discrimination when shopping online
• Bypasses geo-restrictions on streaming services
• Protects you from targeted ads and data collection

With cybercrime rising and our lives becoming increasingly digital, signing up for a VPN isn't just smart—it's becoming as essential as having antivirus software. 

All I needed to do now was find the best VPN to keep my data safe when I'm checking my bank account at a coffee shop or streaming the football from my hotel room.

The Game-Changer: Choosing the best VPN

While researching the best online security options, I was amazed at just how much choice there was when it came to protecting yourself online.

I eventually signed up for Surfshark VPN after getting some top tips on how to stay safe on public Wi-Fi from one of my favourite YouTube channels, The Naked Guru (it's not that sort of channel). 

Surfshark is a Dutch cybersecurity company founded in 2018. It’s VPN (virtual private network) transforms any public Wi-Fi network into your own secure connection. 

What sold me on Surfshark specifically was their combination of military-grade encryption and user-friendly design.

Even if you're not tech-savvy, you can protect yourself with just one click. 

Plus, their strict no-logs policy means they don’t store any data about your online activity, including your browsing history, IP address, or the websites you visit.

A screenshot of my connection in Thailand. Just one click connects me to the UK.

Beyond Security: Unexpected Benefits I've Discovered

While security was my primary concern, there are many unexpected benefits to installing a VPN:

Travel Savings

By changing my virtual location, it was now possible to save myself a significant amount of money when booking flights or hotels online. 

Booking a hotel room in Siem Reap, for example, using the hotel's site in the UK, would cost me more money per night than booking it from the hotel's site in Cambodia.

The same can apply to airlines. Same airline, same flight—just a different perspective on prices. These savings alone could cover my entire annual Surfshark VPN subscription.

 Entertainment Access

Being abroad doesn't mean missing out on my favourite sports and shows anymore. Whether I'm in Thailand or anywhere else, I can still access my UK streaming services as if I never left home.

And by connecting to different countries, I could now access a whole different Netflix library.

Banking Without Blocks

No more frustrating calls with my bank about "suspicious overseas activity. With Surfshark, I can access my accounts as if I'm still in my home country. 

With financial fraud attempts increasing by 233% in 2022, securing your banking connections isn't just convenient—it's essential.

My Daily Security Routine (It's Simpler Than You Think)

Here's exactly how I stay protected:

1. Open Surfshark before connecting to any public Wi-Fi

2. Choose a server (or let it select the fastest one)

3. Connect and browse with confidence

That's it. Three steps that take less than 30 seconds.

What Makes Surfshark Stand Out

There are several VPNs that are equally as good and praised by fellow travellers, NordVPN being another popular choice. But my motto is, if it's not broken, don't fix it. 

Here's why I've personally stuck with Surfshark:

Speed and Performance

• Lightning-fast connections (because waiting for pages to load is frustrating)
• Consistently reliable uptime
• Optimised servers for streaming and gaming

User Experience

• User-friendly apps for all my devices
• Unlimited device connections (I can protect my phone, laptop, and tablet all at the same time)
• Simple one-click connect feature

Security Features

• CleanWeb feature that blocks ads and malware (blocking over 1 billion malicious attempts in 2023 alone)
• Military-grade encryption
• Strict no-logs policy for complete privacy

Customer Support

• 24/7 customer support that actually responds quickly
• Comprehensive knowledge base
• Regular app updates and improvements

Taking Action: Your Turn to Stay Secure Online With Free Bonuses 

Staying safe online and having peace of mind while travelling are two of my top priorities these days.

Knowing that wherever I find myself in the world, my online security is protected at all times.

For less money than one of my favourite coffees a month.

If you're feeling motivated to protect yourself online and want to take advantage of some free bonuses, here's what to do:

1. Visit Surfshark's website and choose a plan (their multi-year plans offer the best value and bonuses)
   • 1-month subscription: Get an extra month free
   • 24-month subscription: Get 3 extra months free
2. Download the app for your devices
3. Start browsing securely with one click

Why It's Worth It

In today's digital world, think about everything you do online:

• Daily banking and financial transactions
• Online shopping and payments
• Work communications and file sharing
• Personal social media and messaging
• Streaming entertainment and content

Now imagine doing all of that with complete peace of mind, knowing your data is protected by the same encryption standards used by military organisations.

That moment of uncertainty I had in 2019 led me to a solution that's now an essential part of my everyday life.

According to cybersecurity experts at Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime is projected to cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025¹. 

Public Wi-Fi isn't going away, and neither are its risks. But with a VPN, you don't have to choose between convenience and security. You can have both.

Ready to secure your connection? Check out Surfshark's latest deals here and join me in worry-free browsing, wherever you are in the world.

Sources:

1. Forbes: "43% of Public WiFi Users Fall Victim to Data Theft" (2023)
2. Financial Fraud Action UK: "233% Increase in Financial Fraud Attempts" (2022)
3. Cybersecurity Ventures: "2025 Cybercrime Report"

I believe in complete transparency with my readers. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them – at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and trust. In this case, I've been protecting my online security through Surfshark VPN since I started travelling and genuinely believe in their service. These commissions help support the blog and allow me to continue providing free content. Thank you for your support!