Public WiFi has become an easy way to stay connected when we're away from home, whether that's grabbing a coffee, catching a train, working from a hotel or checking emails at the airport.
But how often do people stop to consider the network they’re joining, what they’re using it for and whether they need to take any extra precautions?
To explore how Britain uses public WiFi, we surveyed 3,000 UK adults about where and why they connect, how confident they feel assessing network security and the steps they take to protect themselves.
The findings reveal a potential WiFi blind spot, with public networks being used for increasingly important everyday activities, while confidence and caution don't always appear to keep pace.
Britain’s public WiFi habits
A quick scan of the places people spend time away from home shows just how many opportunities there are to get online without using mobile data. Cafés, hotels, stations, airports, shopping centres and shared workspaces can all offer a connection, making public WiFi an ideal option when people need to get online when out of the home.
But how widely is that convenience actually being used?
Our research found that two in three Brits use public WiFi, showing that connecting away from home is a common part of everyday life for a substantial proportion of the population. For many people, public WiFi isn't an occasional fallback but a familiar way to get online when they're out.
How far are Brits willing to trust public WiFi?
Social media is the activity public WiFi is most commonly used for, with 38% of respondents accessing it this way. But 20% use public networks for online banking, a much more security-sensitive activity people are carrying out on a connection they don't control.
Shopping is also popular, with 23% using public WiFi to shop online, and 13% using it for work, potentially accessing payment details, personal information or confidential business systems.
The findings don't suggest that using public WiFi for these activities is inherently unsafe, or that those who do so have experienced a security problem. Instead, they highlight the need for a security review before doing something more ‘data-sensitive’ when in public.
The age groups most likely to do their banking on public WiFi are 25–34-year-olds, with 27% doing so, followed by 22% of 35–44-year-olds and 21% of 18–24-year-olds.
Interestingly, almost half (49%) of 18–24-year-olds say they would rather use mobile data than public WiFi. So although younger Brits are the most confident when it comes to identifying secure networks, they are also the most likely age group to avoid public hotspots and use their mobile data instead.
The confidence gap: Do Brits really know a secure network when they see one?
The research reveals an interesting confidence gap: while some consumers feel confident assessing WiFi security, a sizeable proportion aren't sure they could identify whether a network is secure.
Overall, nearly a third (32%) of people aren't confident they could identify a secure WiFi network.
There's also a gender divide, with 73% of men saying they're confident they can identify secure WiFi, compared with 64% of women.
Meanwhile, 39% of those aged 55 and over aren't confident they could tell whether a WiFi network was secure.
One in five connect without taking any precautions
That question becomes even more important when looking at what happens before people connect. One in five Brits (20%) say they take no precautions at all before joining a public WiFi network.
Only 21% say they use a VPN, while 16% wouldn't know what to look for when deciding whether a network was suspicious.
The knowledge gap is particularly pronounced among older consumers. 22% of those aged 55 and over wouldn't know what to look for in a suspicious network, compared with just 7% of 25–34-year-olds.
This suggests that the WiFi blind spot isn't necessarily about people being unaware that public networks can carry risks. It is about knowing what those risks look like in practice and what to do before connecting.
Working on the move? Don't connect on autopilot
For commuters and remote workers, public WiFi isn't always an optional extra.
A laptop might connect to networks in a train station, coffee shop, hotel or shared workspace several times a week. When connecting becomes part of the routine, it can be tempting to simply join whatever network is available and get on with the task at hand.
With 13% of Brits using public WiFi for work, this is particularly relevant for anyone accessing work systems or handling confidential information away from home.
The safest option isn't necessarily to avoid public WiFi completely. Instead, commuters and remote workers can make checking the network part of their routine, use a VPN where appropriate and switch to mobile data or a personal hotspot if they're dealing with particularly sensitive information.
What does a fake WiFi network look like?
One challenge with public WiFi is that it isn't always obvious whether a network is legitimate simply from its name or appearance.
Fake or spoofed networks can be designed to resemble legitimate ones, which is why knowing what to look for before connecting can be useful.
When asked what warning signs they would recognise, the most commonly identified was a pop-up asking for personal information, recognised by 36% of people. This was followed closely by spelling mistakes (35%) and a network requiring no password (34%).
Seven simple ways to stay safer on public WiFi
The good news is that avoiding the WiFi blindspot doesn't require technical expertise. A few simple habits can make it easier to decide when a public network is worth using and when it's better to wait.
Check the network name: Don't automatically connect to the strongest or most obvious network. Confirm the official name with staff at the cafe, hotel, airport or whatever venue you are in.
Be wary of automatic connections: Review your device's WiFi settings and consider switching off automatic connection to unfamiliar networks.
Check for HTTPS: When entering sensitive information online, check that the website uses HTTPS and that your browser shows the relevant security indicator. Remember, however, that HTTPS alone doesn't always confirm that the WiFi network itself is legitimate.
Consider a VPN: A VPN can provide an additional layer of protection when using public networks, particularly if you're working remotely or travelling. Understanding how a VPN works can help you decide whether it’s right for you.
Think twice before banking or shopping: If you're connected to an unfamiliar or untrusted network, avoid banking, entering payment details or accessing particularly sensitive accounts until you can use a connection you trust.
Use mobile data if you're unsure: A personal hotspot or mobile data can be a sensible alternative when dealing with particularly sensitive information.
Don't forget your home WiFi: While a home network is generally more controllable than a public one, good security habits still matter. Using a strong and unique WiFi password, keeping your router firmware and connected devices up to date, and checking which devices are connected can all help keep your home network secure
Methodology
Based on a nationally representative consumer survey of 3,000 UK adults, fielded 3-9th July 2026 (Censuswide).
Sources
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Over the past decade, Kate has worked in various industries, including company secretarial, small business support and property investing.
Her move to financial services in 2022 not only helped her find her niche in personal finance writing, but also just how alienating finance can be. She’s now motivated by making everyday money a piece of cake for everyone, helping her readers feel informed and in control.
Kate now specialises in savings and current accounts as well as broadband, mobile and energy products.
Ele Clark is an award-winning editor who has held leadership roles at Which? and news-stand publications in London and Dubai. She’s appeared across the press and media, including BBC’s Panorama. With almost 20 years’ experience in personal finance, insurance and consumer journalism, she leads a talented team at Compare the Market, creating insightful, accessible content to help people make informed financial decisions.
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What our expert says...
“Public WiFi can be incredibly useful, particularly when you're travelling, commuting or working away from home, but it's worth remembering that not every network you see is necessarily the one you think it is.
“If you're accessing something sensitive such as online banking, it's sensible to use a trusted connection where possible. If you do need to use public WiFi, check that you're connecting to the official network and consider using a VPN for an additional layer of protection.
“The aim isn't to make people nervous about using public WiFi; it's about making a few simple checks part of your normal routine. If you're unsure about a public network, switching to mobile data for anything particularly sensitive can be the simplest option.”