Working safely on public Wi-Fi and while traveling

Working away from the office is normal now, and with a few habits it is perfectly safe. Most of the services you use, including Microsoft 365, already encrypt everything between your device and their servers, so the old warnings about public Wi-Fi are less dramatic than they used to be. The real risks are fake networks, shoulder surfing and lost devices.

Pick the right network

Ask staff for the exact name of the venue's Wi-Fi rather than joining whatever looks right. Attackers sometimes set up a network called "Free Airport WiFi" to see what people connect to. If you are not sure, use your phone's hotspot instead. Your phone's own data connection is usually the safer choice for anything sensitive, such as banking or payroll.

Watch for unusual sign-in pages

Some public networks show a page asking you to accept terms before you can browse. That is normal. A page asking for your work email password is not. Never enter your Microsoft 365 password on a Wi-Fi sign-up page.

If your business uses a VPN

Where we have set up a VPN for your team, connect to it before opening company systems. It creates a private tunnel back to your office or cloud systems. If you are not sure whether you have one, ask us.

Mind the screen and the bag

On planes, trains and in cafés, people can see your screen. A privacy filter is inexpensive and works well. Lock your screen every time you step away, even for a minute (Windows key + L on Windows, Control + Command + Q on a Mac). Keep the laptop with you rather than in checked luggage or a car.

Charging

Use your own charger plugged into a wall socket rather than an unknown USB port or cable. It is an unlikely risk, but an easy one to avoid.

Traveling abroad

Tell us before you travel outside the country. Some businesses block sign-ins from abroad as a security measure, and we can allow your trip in advance so you are not locked out. If a device is lost or stolen while you are away, follow Lost or stolen laptop or phone: what to do.