Families are travelling with more connected devices than ever, but convenience is driving risky online behaviour.
Research from Virgin Media O2 found that 79% of Brits connect to unfamiliar WiFi networks while abroad, while nearly half are unaware that doing so can leave their privacy and devices at risk of cyber-attacks.
From hotel WiFi to shared passwords and unsecured hotspots, these are the online shortcuts families often take on holiday without thinking about the consequences.
- Treating any free WiFi network as safe
From airport lounges to hotel poolsides, travellers connect to public WiFi networks without thinking twice.
While public networks are convenient, they are not always secure, particularly when multiple users are sharing the same connection. That can expose personal data and connected devices to unnecessary risk.
- Letting devices auto-connect to old networks
Phones, tablets and laptops are often set to reconnect automatically to previously used WiFi networks. That means devices can join networks in the background without users actively choosing or reviewing the connection.
While convenient, it reduces visibility over where devices are connecting and when.
- Using the same passwords across multiple accounts
Holiday convenience often means shortcuts elsewhere too. Many travellers reuse the same passwords across email, shopping, streaming and personal accounts to avoid forgetting login details while away.
But if one account becomes compromised, multiple others can quickly become vulnerable too.
- Logging into sensitive accounts on public WiFi
Checking work emails, online banking or personal accounts over hotel or café WiFi has become routine for many travellers.
But carrying out sensitive activity on shared networks increases the potential exposure of personal and financial information, particularly on heavily used shared networks.
- Handing children unrestricted access to public networks
Long journeys, delayed flights and quiet dinners often mean handing children tablets, gaming consoles or streaming devices to keep them occupied.
But public WiFi networks rarely offer the same level of oversight or control as home networks, particularly when children are downloading apps, streaming content or moving between platforms.
- Ignoring updates before travelling
Devices often go away without the latest software or security updates installed.
People delay updates to avoid interruptions before a trip, but outdated software can leave devices more exposed while travelling and connecting to unfamiliar networks.
- Relying entirely on public WiFi instead of using a private connection
One hotel login often ends up supporting phones, tablets, laptops and streaming devices for the entire family.
Private mobile connections, such as the Nighthawk M7 Pro WiFi 7 5G Mobile Router, allow families to create their own secure WiFi network while travelling, reducing reliance on unfamiliar public connections. That makes it easier to keep multiple devices connected more reliably across holidays, work trips and journeys on the move, without sacrificing privacy or performance.
As more families work, stream and stay connected while travelling, holiday internet use is starting to mirror everyday life at home. The difference is that many of the habits and protections people rely on at home are often left behind once the trip begins.
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