Question about using a VPN on public wifi

I was at a coffee shop in Seattle last month and tried to check my bank account on their open wifi. I used a VPN one time and didn't the next, and the difference in how secure I felt was huge. The VPN made the connection feel private, while without it I was just hoping for the best. Has anyone else compared specific security steps like this on public networks?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_spencer7d ago

My buddy's email got hacked after he checked it at an airport lounge without a VPN.

fiona9856d ago

What if the VPN itself is the weak link? Free ones sell your data, and even paid ones can have leaks or shady owners. Maybe your friend just reused an old password that got leaked years ago. A VPN doesn't fix bad habits, it just makes people feel safe while they type "password123" on a hotel network.

harpery476d ago

Yeah that "difference in how secure I felt" is real. I just always use a VPN now, no more hoping for the best.