That free, password-free hotspot is convenient — and wide open. Here is what can happen on unsecured WiFi, and how to shut it down.
On an open network, anyone within range can watch the traffic in the air. Tools that capture unencrypted data are free and easy to run, which means the person two tables over can see more than you would like.
The real risks
Session hijacking, credential theft and fake "evil twin" hotspots that impersonate the real one are all common. HTTPS helps, but not every request is protected, and DNS lookups often leak.
A VPN encrypts everything before it leaves your device, so an open network becomes as private as your own. Connect SlickVPN first, then browse.
