Cybersecurity risks of using public Wi-Fi while working remotely

Using public Wi-Fi in locations such as hotels, trains, or cafes presents significant cybersecurity risks for remote workers. Criminals can exploit unencrypted networks to intercept sensitive data or impersonate legitimate networks using nearly identical names. Attackers may also manipulate hotel Wi-Fi infrastructure by using fraudulent captive portals to redirect users to malicious websites or steal login credentials.

To mitigate these risks, the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) recommends using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to establish a secure, encrypted connection between a device and the internet. Alternatively, users can utilize their smartphones as personal Wi-Fi hotspots to avoid public networks entirely. For those setting up a VPN via a home network, protocols such as WireGuard can be used to create a secure tunnel through a router.