Is It Safe To Use Airbnb WiFi? Updated Guide for 2025

Can an Airbnb host see my search history? Yes, one in five hosts monitors data while you use the WiFi (ResearchGate)¹. Airbnb policies don’t require hosts to secure their networks, so anyone with access to the same connection could spy on you, steal your data, or even hack into your device.

I'll show you which tools and techniques you can use to secure your connection to your Airbnb WiFi. For example, as a remote worker who travels frequently, I always use a VPN. Additionally, as a host, you can also take some steps to prevent unauthorized access and tampering by potentially dishonest guests.

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What Are The Best Ways To Stay Safe on Airbnb WiFi?

Airbnb WiFi can be unsafe for several reasons. Since multiple guests may use the same WiFi network, there's a risk of malicious activity from other users who could intercept or compromise your data. Additionally, some hosts may not secure their networks with strong passwords or encryption methods like WPA3, leaving the connection vulnerable to attacks.

In 2023, a reported data breach allegedly led to 1.2 million Airbnb records being put up for sale (The Cyber Express)³. However, Airbnb has not officially confirmed these incidents, and there’s limited publicly available information regarding the extent or impact of these breaches. To improve your data safety at an Airbnb, follow these steps:

1. Use a VPN

A VPN prevents your sensitive information from being exposed over Airbnb WiFi by routing your connection via its private network. This makes it much harder for anyone to steal your passwords, credit card details, or login credentials. Not even the Airbnb host can see your activity on their network. Given that 43% of public WiFi users have had their information compromised (The Gilmer Mirror)4, using a VPN adds a vital layer of protection.

If you’re staying in an Airbnb abroad, it can also help you access sites from home, like your online banking. It does this by changing your IP location to your home country. If you stay at Airbnbs in countries that restrict or monitor the internet, VPNs with obfuscation disguise the traffic. This allows safe, unrestricted access to accounts from any location.

• Choose a reputable VPN provider that uses AES 256-bit encryption and has a verified no-logs policy that's been proven not to collect or share your information. Also, confirm the VPN has a kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection.
• Make sure your VPN subscription is active and the software is installed before your trip.
• Enable the VPN before connecting to the Airbnb WiFi network. After downloading the VPN, choose a server nearby for the best speeds and click to secure your connection.

2. Use a Mobile Hotspot Instead

Bypassing Airbnb WiFi altogether is one of the safest options. You can tether your laptop or tablet to your smartphone’s mobile data plan, creating a secure personal hotspot. For travelers staying domestically, this option is straightforward if your carrier provides sufficient data. If you’re traveling internationally, getting an eSIM is an affordable and convenient alternative.

You’ll need to consider any potential data caps or the possibility of poor signal. Your mobile plan won’t be as fast as a typical WiFi network used at most Airbnbs, and even many “infinite data” plans start throttling speeds after a certain usage threshold. This also isn’t as secure as a VPN since your provider can still see your traffic.

Here’s how to use a mobile hotspot safely:

• Use a password generator to create a strong password for your hotspot.
• Change the default hotspot name to something that doesn't identify your device.
• Consider purchasing a dedicated mobile hotspot device for travel if you frequently work remotely.
• Set your hotspot to the latest security protocols (WPA3 or WPA2 encryption) for stronger security.
• Turn it off when not in use to reduce exposure to potential threats.

3. Clear Data

Hackers or compromised networks may target your browser history, cookies, and cache to extract personal information. This includes details about your browsing habits, login credentials, and autofill data.

Set your browser to automatically clear data when you close it or use private/incognito mode to avoid storing session details altogether.

Use this checklist to remove sensitive data from your device:

• Clear your browser history, cached files, and cookies.
• Remove any downloaded files you no longer need.
• Delete any saved WiFi networks from your devices.
• Clear your DNS cache.
• Remove any temporary files created during your stay.
• Check and clear browser autofill data.
• Review and delete any offline content that may have been saved.

4. Keep Your Devices and Software Updated

Outdated devices and software are prime targets for cyberattacks, as hackers exploit known vulnerabilities patched in newer versions. Many malware and ransomware attacks take advantage of these security gaps. Web apps may also have weaknesses that let malicious users inject harmful code into sites or databases, a cyberattack known as Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and SQL Injection.

Updates often include fixes to prevent such infections by closing vulnerabilities that malware exploits. Always update your operating systems, browsers, and apps before connecting to Airbnb WiFi. Enable automatic updates when possible to stay protected with the latest security fixes.

Also, review your device’s settings and disable unused services, such as file sharing or remote desktop access. These can create additional vulnerabilities when connecting to untrusted networks.

5. Don't Access Sensitive Sites Using Airbnb WiFi

Airbnb WiFi, like other public or shared networks, is vulnerable to security risks such as data interception or rogue access points. Avoid accessing sensitive sites, such as online banking, work accounts, or medical portals, while on Airbnb WiFi. These networks might also be configured improperly, allowing others to monitor your activity.

If you must access such sites — whether for remote work or critical transactions — use a VPN or your mobile hotspot for extra protection. You can also enable two-factor authentication on your sensitive accounts to make unauthorized access more difficult, even if your credentials are compromised.

6. Delete Passwords

Malware on a compromised router can extract your stored passwords, granting hackers access to your accounts. Many browsers store saved passwords for convenience, but this feature can backfire on insecure networks.

Before connecting to Airbnb WiFi, delete saved passwords for sensitive accounts, such as online banking, work accounts, or email. Browsers like Chrome or Firefox let you manage and selectively delete stored passwords.

Alternatively, use a password manager to safely encrypt and store your credentials outside the browser. After your trip, also consider changing important passwords and reviewing your browser settings for any unauthorized password saves.

7. Log Out of Accounts

Always log out of Airbnb devices that aren’t yours to avoid compromising your accounts. Many Airbnbs come with streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+, pre-installed on smart TVs, or they may provide devices for gaming, browsing, or work. If you leave your accounts logged in, the host or future guests could access your subscriptions or sensitive information.

Whenever possible, use the host's default accounts instead of logging in with your own. If you must, make sure to clear your account details, delete the browser's cache, cookies, and history, and consider a factory reset if necessary (with the host's permission). For added protection, enable two-factor authentication on your accounts to prevent unauthorized access, even if your login details are compromised.

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Additional Tips for Staying Safe on Airbnb WiFi

• Verify network authenticity. Always confirm the exact name of the WiFi network with your Airbnb host to avoid connecting to malicious networks designed to mimic legitimate ones. Fake networks can capture all your data once you connect.
• Use reliable firewall and antivirus software. These tools help detect and block malicious activities or software that could compromise your data.
• Enable device encryption. Most modern devices offer encryption options that secure your data, even if someone gains physical access to your device. Ensure this feature is enabled on all your gadgets.
• Disable auto-connect to WiFi. Turn off automatic WiFi connection settings to prevent your device from connecting to untrusted or rogue networks without your knowledge.
• Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. Regularly check your online accounts for unusual activity during and after your Airbnb stay. Early detection of unauthorized access can help you mitigate potential damage quickly.

How To Safely Offer WiFi as an Airbnb Host

Set up a Separate WiFi Network for Guests

Separating WiFi networks for yourself and your guests makes them more secure for both parties. Just as hackers can snoop on or attack other guests using compromised WiFi, they can also target your devices as a host. Setting up distinct networks for yourself and guests makes it easier to manage their security.

The most secure solution is to install a second router with its own internet plan. You and your guests will use completely separate physical networks and internet connections. The downside is that this costs a lot more than having just one network.

Another option is to set up a sub-network, called “cascading,” to split your WiFi network. You don’t need a second internet plan, but you’ll still need a secondary router. This is a more technical solution, and you’ll need to be comfortable accessing and changing your router IPs. However, you can find step-by-step guides online.

Physically Lock Away the WiFi Router

It’s easiest for a guest to compromise your Airbnb’s WiFi router if they have access to it. Anyone can potentially reset the router to default settings just by pressing the button on the back. From here, it’s very easy to access the admin dashboard and do things like alter the DNS settings, install malware, or monitor other users’ activities.

You can limit physical access by placing the router in a lockable box. This still allows you to position the router anywhere for the best WiFi signal throughout the Airbnb. Another option is to put it in a locked cabinet or even outside the property. You can use signal boosters to make sure the WiFi connection is strong throughout the property.

Make sure to clearly communicate these security measures to your guests. This will help ease any suspicions they might have. In the unlikely event that guests have bad intentions, it will also signal to them that you take WiFi security seriously in case they’re considering tampering with your network.

Change the Router’s Administrator Rights

Aside from physical protection, you should also change your router's access settings to make it harder for someone to get administrative control. Routers often come configured with similar factory settings. If you don’t update these, it’s easy for someone to access the admin dashboard remotely using the default IP and login details.

The steps to do this will vary slightly from router to router, but this is a rough guide:

• Find your router manual. Get specific instructions for your router model from the physical or online manual.
• Reset to factory defaults. Erase all existing settings to remove unauthorized access.
• Set new admin details. Create a unique and secure administrator username and password.
• Create a remote management filter. This ensures that only your devices can log in and manage the router remotely.

Use a Strong Password and Frequently Change It

Using a weak or reused WiFi password significantly increases the risk of hacking. According to a study by Verizon, 80% of data breaches are caused by weak or stolen passwords⁵. To enhance security, update your WiFi password regularly — preferably monthly or even weekly, especially between guest bookings. When setting a new one, use this tool to check the password strength.

Also, opt for secure WPA2 (WiFi Protected Access 2) encryption rather than the outdated WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). You can make sure WPA2 is enabled by logging into your router’s administrative dashboard, navigating to the security settings, and making sure that the WPA2 box is checked.

WEP has been found to have serious vulnerabilities, with cracking tools readily available online that can break the encryption in minutes. A survey by Bitdefender revealed that 19% of networks still used WEP despite the availability of more secure options like WPA and WPA2⁶.

Frequently Clear Your Router Logs and Data

Routers maintain logs that can contain sensitive information, such as connected devices, websites visited, timestamps, and network traffic patterns. If left unchecked, this data could potentially be exploited by attackers. Clearing this data should be part of your routine router maintenance to avoid it being compromised. You can do this on a consistent schedule or whenever a guest checks out.

Deleting router logs is usually a straightforward process:

• Log into your router’s administrative dashboard using its IP address (often something like 192.168.1.1).
• Navigate to the Logs or Status section in the settings.
• Look for the option to clear, delete, or reset the logs. This may also be listed as Clear History or Delete Event Logs depending on your router model.

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Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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FAQs on Safely Using Airbnb WiFi

How can I check if an Airbnb WiFi is safe to use?

First, ask the host about the router model and its security settings. Ensure the network uses WPA2 or WPA3 encryption, as these are secure standards. Avoid using any networks that rely on WEP encryption or are unsecured. Also, ask the host if they follow the basic security practices for offering WiFi safely. Never trust an unsecured or publicly visible network, especially for activities requiring personal or financial details.

Is the WiFi at hotels safer than at Airbnbs?

Hotel WiFi can be safer than Airbnb WiFi in some cases, as hotels often have dedicated IT staff that manage and secure the networks. Regardless of the location, always use a reliable VPN to protect your data when accessing public WiFi. Never assume hotel or Airbnb networks are completely safe, as both can be risky if not properly secured. For example, both can have weak passwords, outdated encryption, or no encryption at all

Conclusion

Is it safe to connect to Airbnb WiFi? Connecting to an Airbnb WiFi network has potential security risks, just as with any public or shared network. Hosts have an ethical responsibility to provide safe WiFi facilities to their guests, but it’s not mandatory. It’s up to hosts and guests themselves to understand the risks and take precautions to safeguard your privacy and sensitive information.

As a guest, you can try to avoid using Airbnb WiFi altogether, but it’s not always possible. You may need to do important work or want to maybe just binge-watch your favorite Netflix series. However, by using a combination of the solutions above, you can get more control over what you reveal online and make Airbnb WiFi much safer.

References

1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341659906_Smart_Devices_in_Airbnbs_Considering_Privacy_and_Security_for_both_Guests_and_Hosts/
2. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1450743/public-wifi-use-personal-data-compromise-us/?utm_source=chatgpt.com/
3. https://thecyberexpress.com/airbnb-data-breach-millions-records-on-sale/
4. https://www.gilmermirror.com/2023/02/17/new-survey-43-have-had-their-information-compromised-on-public-wi-fi/?utm_source=chatgpt.com/
5. https://cybersecurity.asee.io/blog/password-statistics-that-will-change-your-attitude/
6. https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/25-percent-of-wireless-networks-are-highly-vulnerable-to-hacking-attacks-wi-fi-security-survey-reveals/