Can hotels see what you are browsing?

Are you planning a trip and not sure whether hotels can see what you are browsing while connected to their Wi-Fi? The TL;DR is that they can see which websites you access, though not any specific queries on those sites.

Most websites nowadays use HTTPS, meaning your data is encrypted and protected from prying eyes. So, while a hotel Wi-Fi admin can see that you’ve gone to google.com, they won’t know that you looked up whether hotels can see your search history.

Of course, a packet sniffer or other web monitoring tools can give a hacker or malicious employee a pretty good idea of your browsing activity or extract other sensitive data. Read on to learn how to protect yourself on hotel Wi-Fi and clear up any concerns about your privacy.

What hotels see when you are browsing on their Wi-Fi

Here’s a short list of everything hotels see when you’re connected to their network:

• Top-level domains (e.g. google.com, amazon.com)
• IP addresses of the sites you visit
• Your data usage (e.g. large downloads or video streaming)
• Timestamps (when you connect, how long you browse)
• Unencrypted traffic (for non-HTTPS sites, they could see full page contents)

Every now and then, you may end up at a hotel with an improper Wi-Fi setup. This could lead to cases like this one, where a user was able to see what other guests were watching on their TVs—and that’s without any special monitoring software.

Other risks of hotel Wi-Fi

The dangers of hotel Wi-Fi extend beyond a bored hotel employee looking at your NSFW searches. Here are some other risks of hotel wi-fi you should know about:

• Fake Wi-Fi networks: Hackers can set up rogue access points mimicking the hotel’s network. If you connect to this “Evil Twin” hotspot, they can intercept everything you do online.
• Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks: A compromised network allows attackers to eavesdrop on traffic, steal login credentials, or inject malicious content into web pages.
• Weak security: Many hotels have poorly secured routers, making it easier for guests with technical skills (or hackers) to access logs or tamper with the network.
• Device vulnerabilities: Hackers on the same network can exploit outdated software, open ports, or weak security settings to install malware, steal files, or gain remote access to your device.

Fortunately, defending against such attacks and preventing hotels from seeing what you are browsing is easy. Read on for the details.

How to stay safe on hotel Wi-Fi

You don’t need to be a tech genius to keep your data safe on public wi-fi, whether at a hotel or an airport. Start with these tips:

Mask your traffic with a VPN

A VPN (virtual private network) app has two main functions: hiding your IP address and encrypting your network traffic. Essentially, the VPN uses complex algorithms to make your online data unreadable by snoopers—yes, that includes anyone trying to see what you are browsing on hotel Wi-Fi.

Conveniently, VPNs are a great counter to Evil Twin attacks. Since they encrypt your traffic, attackers can’t see what you do online. That said, some Wi-Fi networks require you to go through a pop-up login page before granting access. Fake versions can trick you into revealing personal info before your VPN connects, so be on the lookout.

Note that network admins and ISPs can still see that you’re connected to a VPN, not what your traffic consists of. Remember that if you’re at a hotel in a country that bans VPNs.

Can I use a free VPN on hotel Wi-Fi?

While free VPNs may seem appealing, they often lack essential security features like a kill switch, or may leak your data without you knowing. Without a kill switch, your info could be exposed if the VPN connection drops, and without leak protection, some of your activities (such as your DNS requests) might still be visible.

It’s also no secret that many free VPNs sell your data to cover business expenses. They’re typically slower, have few servers (usually without streaming support), or limit your monthly data usage.

If your hotel blocks access to specific websites and you need a temporary fix or just want to secure your data for a few days, a free trial VPN is a better alternative. You get all the perks of a premium VPN with none of the above drawbacks.

Install security software

A reliable antivirus protects you from dangerous malware and other threats beyond a VPN’s reach. Pairing those with a proper firewall system will keep out any unwanted intruders on the hotel network.

Disable network discovery

Much like that one person who could see what guests were watching on their hotel room TVs, network discovery can expose your devices to others on the hotel Wi-Fi. Hackers or curious guests might easily find and try to access your devices.

To avoid unwanted attention, disable network discovery before connecting to hotel Wi-Fi. This simple step makes it harder for others to see and interact with your devices, protecting you from low-level attacks and interruptions.

Stay on top of updates

Even a VPN won’t protect you from an unpatched exploit or other vulnerabilities on your devices. Update your OS and all the apps you use regularly to avoid headaches, especially if you’re going to use hotel wi-fi for a while.

Avoid accessing sensitive accounts

When using hotel Wi-Fi, avoid logging into banking sites or handling other sensitive transactions. While a VPN helps protect your traffic, financial activities are riskier due to potential app vulnerabilities and malicious monitoring.

Stick to safer tasks for your peace of mind. Alternatively, you could switch to mobile data (and use a VPN) while you manage your finances, deal with work-related emails, or handle other important info.

Can hotels see what you are browsing? FAQs

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