Travel Tips

Travel Tip: Risky Places to Use Free Wi-Fi Hotspots

Locations in this article:  Bangkok, Thailand Chicago, IL Las Vegas, NV Paris, France

photoJust about everywhere we travel, many of us are usually looking for an available—and free—Wi-Fi hotspot.

But these hotspots may be too hot. Some of them are run by networks that aren’t there to help you connect, but to steal your information.

A recent security test identified the world’s riskiest places to use unknown free Wi-Fi hotspots. Not surprisingly, Times Square in New York came in at number one.

This famous commercial intersection was followed by some surprising destinations. For example, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was on the list. As it turns out, it’s a top spot for identity thieves.

Then there’s EuroDisney in France, the Las Vegas Strip, Union Station in Washington, D.C., Navy Pier in Chicago, and even the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

You should never do any personal banking at these locales, or communicate with any site asking you for verification of your password or other protected information.

The same security test also revealed that Android devices were twice as vulnerable as iOS devices.

For more tips on how to keep your personal information safe, check out:

Keep reading for more travel tips.