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Travel expert Lee Abbamonte is drawing attention to the risks of fraudulent wireless connections on commercial flights and the checks passengers should make before getting online, according to Fox News. The publication’s Sept. 8 guidance extends the internet-safety discussion to travelers using unfamiliar hotel, airport and café Wi-Fi outside the U.S.
The central recommendation is to prepare a virtual private network, or VPN, before departure. Fox News explains that a VPN encrypts the connection between a device and the VPN server, adding privacy on networks travelers do not control. But that protection has boundaries: It does not make every wireless network safe, and it does not guarantee that a streaming subscription will work abroad exactly as it does at home.
Abbamonte’s flight-related warning introduces a broader guide by tech journalist Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson focused largely on VPN use and streaming. The detailed recommendations below come from that guide.
Unfamiliar Wi-Fi requires more than a VPN
Free internet access is convenient, but travelers often do not know who operates a network, how it is configured or who else is connected, Fox News notes. That uncertainty applies beyond entertainment. The same connection used to watch a movie may also carry email, reservation activity and account sign-ins.
Most major websites and apps already use HTTPS encryption, according to the publication. A VPN adds another encrypted tunnel between the traveler’s device and the VPN server, reducing what the local network can learn about internet activity. That is an additional layer of protection, not a replacement for the security already built into websites and apps.
Fox News also advises avoiding suspicious Wi-Fi names, keeping devices updated and using strong account security. Those precautions remain relevant with a VPN running. Encryption should not be mistaken for confirmation that an unfamiliar network is legitimate.
Set up your travel VPN before leaving home
Fox News recommends choosing a reputable VPN service, creating an account and installing its app before the trip. The service should support the phones, tablets and computers being packed, with enough simultaneous connections for the people traveling together. Travelers who need a U.S.-based connection should also check for U.S. server locations.
Install the app on each device, sign in and test the connection at home, the publication advises. That leaves time to resolve password, installation or account problems before dealing with an airport or hotel connection.
Streaming apps need attention, too. Fox News recommends updating them and signing in before departure. Some services may request identity verification when they detect a new device or location; handling account access ahead of time can reduce troubleshooting during the trip.
Choosing the VPN itself deserves scrutiny. Fox News recommends reviewing encryption, ease of use, device support, server locations, privacy practices, reputation and independent security audits. It cautions that free VPNs can bring slower speeds, fewer server choices or questionable data practices. Read the privacy policy before installing one rather than treating a free download as an automatic security upgrade.
A U.S. connection does not promise U.S. programming
For travelers hoping to keep watching their usual subscriptions, Fox News describes connecting to a U.S. VPN server and then opening the streaming service normally. Websites and streaming platforms see the VPN server’s IP address instead of the traveler’s usual public IP address, while the device-to-server connection remains encrypted.
That technical change does not settle the question of access. According to Fox News, available programming still depends on the streaming company, the subscription and regional licensing rules. A VPN cannot change the agreements that determine where a movie, channel or sporting event may be shown.
Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, ESPN and Apple TV+ may handle VPN connections differently, the publication notes. Travelers should check their own provider’s current travel and VPN policies rather than assume one service’s behavior applies to another.
Live sports require particular attention. Fox News explains that broadcasting rights can vary by country, league and individual event. A VPN neither creates a subscription nor removes blackout rules. Check the specific event and service before relying on a connection for a game, and follow the provider’s terms and applicable laws.
Separate connection security from connection speed
A protected connection can still be slow. Fox News notes that hotel and airport Wi-Fi may struggle when many people share the network. Buffering is not necessarily evidence that the VPN is the problem.
Server choice can affect performance. If privacy is the priority and no particular country is required, Fox News recommends a nearby VPN server; shorter distances can often improve speed and latency. If a U.S. IP address is needed, use a U.S. server and try another server in that country if performance drops.
The publication recommends checking the underlying Wi-Fi, reconnecting the VPN and closing apps that are downloading files, backing up photos or running large updates. Lowering video quality can also help because HD and 4K require more bandwidth than standard-definition video. A trusted mobile connection may perform better than crowded public Wi-Fi, depending on signal strength and the traveler’s roaming plan.
Give yourself a way to watch without Wi-Fi
Offline viewing is a backup recommended in the guide. Where a streaming service permits downloads, Fox News recommends saving shows or movies before departure, particularly for planes, trains and trips with unreliable connectivity.
The distinction worth carrying into the trip is straightforward: Network selection, encrypted connections and streaming access are separate questions. Fox News recommends using a VPN as an added privacy measure while keeping devices and accounts secure. A VPN is not proof that a wireless connection is genuine or that every subscription will deliver the same programming overseas.
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About the Author
Jeff Colhoun
Jeff Colhoun is an acclaimed travel writer, photographer, and filmmaker, whose work is respected both in the United States and internationally.
