76% of Japanese Travelers Use Public Wi-Fi Abroad. Why Experts Are Concerned

Saily, an eSIM app for travelers developed by the team at NordVPN (Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands; Japan Representative: Takuro Obara), conducted a survey on internet usage habits of travelers. The latest survey revealed that 76% of Japanese travelers use free public Wi-Fi while traveling abroad.

While public Wi-Fi is a convenient and low-cost way to connect, cybersecurity experts are sounding the alarm due to its increasing usage.

"The call to be cautious with public Wi-Fi has become a cybersecurity cliché. Yet, usage continues to rise," says Matas Čenys, Head of Product at Saily. "Travelers prioritize convenience and savings, but unknowingly expose themselves to cyber risks. In such situations, awareness and education are crucial. When using (public Wi-Fi), it's important to know how to use it more safely."

Public Wi-Fi usage is also expanding beyond Japan. According to the survey, 77% of UK travelers use public Wi-Fi, an increase from 71% the previous year. In Italy, it reached 74%, up from 65% in 2025. In Australia, travelers using public Wi-Fi abroad also increased to 73%, surpassing 64% the previous year.

Hackers' Tactics to Deceive Travelers with Fake Wi-Fi

According to cybersecurity experts, public Wi-Fi, while seemingly harmless, often lacks the necessary security features to protect user information. Many Wi-Fi hotspots have insufficient security, making it possible for transmitted data, such as emails and login credentials, to be visible to third parties.

"The real problem is that there's no sure way to tell if public Wi-Fi is safe. You don't know who set up the connection or what their intentions are. It could be a cafe owner providing it for free to attract customers, or it could be a cybercriminal trying to steal your data," says Čenys.

One of the most common methods hackers use to exploit Wi-Fi and steal personal information is a "Man-in-the-Middle (MITM)" attack. This is an attack where a hacker intercepts the communication between a user and the Wi-Fi network, eavesdropping on the data. All user actions can potentially be seen by the attacker, and operations like checking bank balances or logging into social media can lead to unauthorized access to personal accounts. Hackers may also set up fake access points with names very similar to legitimate Wi-Fi. This is called an "Evil Twin" and is a tactic to trick users into connecting. Once connected, passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information can be easily stolen.

Furthermore, in recent years, there have been cases where AI is used to create realistic-looking login pages, prompting users to enter personal information or pay fake "internet usage fees." When users enter authentication or payment details, they effectively grant the attacker access to their accounts. AI is also used to create fake apps that resemble official ones, so if you are asked to download an app from outside an official app store, it should be considered a major red flag.

Tips to Protect Yourself from Wi-Fi Scams

Čenys lists the following points as measures travelers can take to reduce online risks:

When using public Wi-Fi, confirm with the provider which is the legitimate Wi-Fi. Especially if there are multiple Wi-Fi options, a simple confirmation can prevent trouble.

Only use websites with HTTPS connections. When accessing, always check for a padlock icon next to the URL.

Use mobile data for important operations, such as financial services. If you are concerned about mobile data costs abroad, consider options other than roaming, such as travel eSIMs.

Handle personal information with care. Be cautious about unnecessarily sharing personal information in situations where it is not required.

Turn off data sharing features. Disable file sharing, AirDrop, and network discovery when using public networks.

Public Wi-Fi is a convenient way to reduce communication costs while traveling, but behind the scenes, tactics targeting travelers are becoming increasingly sophisticated each year, including man-in-the-middle attacks, evil twins, and fake login pages exploiting AI. The key is to operate under the assumption that "free Wi-Fi is not safe," and habits such as confirming legitimate network names, not entering personal information except via HTTPS, and not performing critical operations on public Wi-Fi are essential preparations to ensure safety while traveling.

Survey Overview

This survey was conducted in May 2026 targeting residents aged 18-65 in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, Poland, and Italy, and aged 18-74 in Spain. 1,000 people responded in each country, and 800 in Spain.

About Saily

Saily is an affordable and secure travel eSIM app that allows you to manage mobile communication and internet connectivity anywhere in the world. It offers 24/7 instant customer support, flexible data plans, and can be used in over 200 destinations. Saily was developed by experts from NordVPN, an advanced security and privacy protection app.

Product Name: Saily

Headquarters: Fred. Roeskestraat 115 1076 EE Amsterdam, Netherlands

Japan Representative: Takuro Obara

Website: https://saily.com/ja/