Is Hotel WiFi Safe?

Shared Security Podcast · Tom Eston, Scott Wright, Kevin Tackett · Sep 7, 2026 · 15 min

What's in this episode

Tom and Scott break down Microsoft's CaptiveCrunch research on manipulated hotel captive portals used for credential phishing and malware delivery. They cover what HTTPS and VPNs actually protect, why a lock icon doesn't prove a page is legitimate, warning signs that should make you disconnect, and when a cellular hotspot is the better choice.

Questions it answers

Is hotel WiFi safe to use?

Hotel WiFi isn't automatically dangerous, but you should never blindly trust it. Tom Eston and Scott Wright of Shared Security explain the red flags and when to use your phone instead.

Answered on Shared Security Podcast

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