Travellers are being urged to avoid using free hotel wifi while overseas, as one Australian company reveals that while it may save money, it risks a potentially costly cyber-attack.
Simify states that more than half of hotels experience multiple cyberattacks during the peak travel season, noting that while free wifi attracts tourists, it also attracts hackers looking to steal personal information in order to commit fraud and identify theft.
Data from Hospitality Net’s 2024 Cybersecurity in Hotels report found some 58% of hotel cybersecurity leaders reported five or more cyber attacks during the 2024 peak travel season.
These hacks can see malware placed on travellers’ devices that can steal information such as logins and passwords, banking details and credit card numbers. “It sounds like a great idea for saving a few bucks on data, but people are starting to wake up to the fact that public wifi isn’t safe anymore,” says Aidan Butler, co-founder of Simify, an eSIM specialist. “Free public wifi isn’t really free if your bank account gets cleaned out when you’re travel ling abroad.”
. . . Elsewhere
Hotels aren’t the only place to be careful. Smaller businesses offering free wifi, like cafés and laundromats, are unlikely to even realise they have been attacked, says Butler.
The airport is another danger hot spot. Just last year an Australian was charged with operating ‘evil twin’ wifi networks at airports and on flights which he used to steal personal information.
“People can be too trusting; just because you see a network called ‘Free Airport Wifi’ pop up nearby, that doesn’t mean it’s the real deal,” says Butler. To avoid the risk, the use of an eSIM is recommended, offering access to secure mobile data. See more HERE.
