Owais Crawford
Free airport Wi-Fi is a great way to stay connected and entertained while travelling. However, not all airports provide this service, and there may be security risks involved with public Wi-Fi. While it can be a convenient way to access the internet, it is important to be cautious and take necessary precautions when using free airport Wi-Fi. Some airports that do offer free Wi-Fi include Delhi Airport, Mumbai Airport, and Bangalore Airport in India, which provide varying levels of speed, quality, and time limits.
What You'll Learn
Free WiFi at Delhi Airport
Delhi Airport, also known as Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), provides free, unlimited WiFi to passengers across all terminals. The service is available 24/7 and offers high-speed internet access, allowing users to stream and download movies, TV shows, and music, as well as stay connected with friends and family.
To connect to the WiFi, users should first enable WiFi on their device and select the 'GMR Free WiFi' or ''Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)' network. A web page will then open, prompting users to enter their mobile number to receive an OTP (One Time Password). After entering the OTP, users will be asked to set a four-digit numeric pin to access the WiFi. This process is the same for both domestic and international travellers, although international travellers without an Indian mobile number can obtain a WiFi coupon code from the WiFi Kiosks at the airport or by scanning their passport.
The WiFi service at Delhi Airport has a time limit of 240 minutes or 2 hours, after which users will need to reconnect. In addition to its WiFi services, Delhi Airport also provides charging stations for mobile phones, laptops, and tablets across all terminals, as well as being the first 5G-enabled airport in India.
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Cybersecurity risks of free airport WiFi
Free airport WiFi is a convenient way to stay connected while travelling. However, it also poses serious cybersecurity risks that travellers should be aware of. Here are some of the key risks and precautions to take when using free airport WiFi:
Identity Theft and Account Takeovers
Hackers can exploit unsecured airport WiFi networks to spy on users and intercept data sent over the network. This includes passwords, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive information that can be used for identity theft or account takeovers. It is recommended that users avoid entering personal and sensitive data while connected to public WiFi networks.
Financial Losses
Unsecured WiFi networks may allow cybercriminals to steal financial information, such as bank account numbers or credit card details. This can result in significant financial losses for travellers. To protect against this, travellers should consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt their data and make it more difficult for hackers to intercept.
Business Email Compromise (BEC)
Business travellers are often targeted by cybercriminals who attempt to access their email accounts to conduct fraud. This can have serious consequences for both the individual and their organisation. To mitigate this risk, business travellers should ensure they have antivirus software installed and running on their devices, and be cautious when connecting to public WiFi networks.
Phishing Attacks and Fake Login Pages
Attackers may set up phishing sites, fake websites, or fraudulent login pages that trick users into divulging personal information or credit card details. These fake pages may be injected into legitimate airport web pages or services. Travellers should be cautious when entering login or personal information and confirm the legitimacy of any website or login page.
Malware Infections
To access airport WiFi, users may be asked to download illegitimate apps or files that contain malware. This malware can give hackers access to users' devices and data. One type of malicious virus, called keyloggers, secretly sends all keystrokes, including passwords, directly to scammers. To protect against malware infections, travellers should have up-to-date antivirus software installed and avoid downloading unverified apps or files.
Look-alike WiFi Networks
Hackers may create "evil twin" WiFi networks with names similar to the airport's legitimate free network. If travellers connect to these networks, hackers can intercept data sent over the network. It is important to double-check the official airport WiFi network name before connecting.
In summary, while free airport WiFi can be convenient, it also comes with significant cybersecurity risks. Travellers should be cautious when using public WiFi networks and take appropriate measures, such as using a VPN, confirming network names, installing antivirus software, and avoiding entering sensitive information, to protect their data and devices.
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How to access free airport WiFi
While not all airports offer free WiFi, many do. Here is a guide on how to access free airport WiFi, using the example of Delhi Airport, which provides free WiFi to travellers across all terminals.
To connect to the high-speed free internet service at Delhi Airport, you need to follow these steps:
- Turn on your device and enable WiFi.
- Search for the 'GMR Free WiFi' network and connect to it.
- A new page will open on your device. Enter your mobile number to receive a One Time Password (OTP).
- After entering the OTP, set a four-digit numeric pin.
- You should now have access to the free WiFi service.
International passengers without a local number can contact the Information Desk for assistance or obtain a WiFi coupon code from the WiFi Kiosks available at the airport to use the service.
Other airports with free WiFi include Frankfurt Airport, which provides unlimited internet access from over 300 WiFi access points. To connect, simply:
- Select the "Airport-Frankfurt" hotspot.
- Choose either "Wi-Fi Free" or "Wi-Fi Free+".
- Click "Go online" to agree to the conditions of use.
Enjoy surfing!
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International access to free airport WiFi
For example, at Delhi Airport, international passengers without a local number can obtain a Wi-Fi coupon code from the Wi-Fi Kiosks or contact the Information Desk for assistance. This is because Indian law requires users accessing public Wi-Fi networks to verify their identity, and an OTP sent to a mobile number is the usual way to do this. However, this can be problematic for international travellers without an Indian number.
Other Indian airports, such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Cochin, Kolkata, and Chennai, offer free Wi-Fi, but it is unclear whether international travellers would face the same issues as at Delhi Airport.
Outside of India, it seems that international travellers can access free airport Wi-Fi without the need for a local number or a similar workaround. For example, one user on Reddit noted that they had used free Wi-Fi in Changi Airport without issue, and that it only required an email address and name to connect.
Therefore, it appears that international access to free airport WiFi varies depending on the country and airport in question. While some airports may have restrictions or requirements in place, others may offer unrestricted access. It is always a good idea to check with the airport or your airline before travelling to ensure you know what to expect and can prepare accordingly.
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Other services at airports offering free WiFi
While not every airport offers free WiFi, many do. Here are some examples of airports that offer free WiFi along with other services:
Delhi Airport, India
Delhi Airport offers free and high-speed Wi-Fi to travellers across all terminals. The airport also has charging stations for phones, laptops, and tablets located across all terminals, including food courts, security hold spaces, and boarding gates. Delhi Airport is also the first 5G-enabled airport in India.
Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, USA
San Jose Airport offers free Wi-Fi with a median download speed of 203.00 Mbps during Q3 2022, making it one of the fastest free airport Wi-Fi services in the US.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, USA
This airport in Atlanta offers free and unlimited Wi-Fi that can accommodate around 15,000 users simultaneously to avoid slow loading issues.
Birmingham Airport, England
Birmingham Airport provides free and unlimited Wi-Fi 24/7 throughout the airport and terminals. It also has charging stations in most gates and concourse areas.
Keflavik Airport, Iceland
Keflavik Airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the airport, and due to its smaller size, the connection tends to stay relatively quick.
Dallas Fort Worth Airport, Texas, USA
Dallas Fort Worth Airport provides free and unlimited Wi-Fi that has been upgraded to support 55,000 users. They also offer free power outlets and charging stations at various terminals.
Vaclav Havel Airport, Prague, Czech Republic
Vaclav Havel Airport offers high-speed, free, and unlimited Wi-Fi in terminals 1 and 2, with a large number of access points and relatively uninterrupted service.
John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, USA
John F. Kennedy International Airport provides free and unlimited Wi-Fi at all terminals throughout the day. It also offers a toll-free customer service number for assistance with any wireless access issues.
Orlando International Airport, Orlando, USA
Orlando International Airport has a fully wireless and free, unlimited Wi-Fi service with many access points. The airport recommends avoiding crowded areas to achieve higher speeds with minimal interruptions.
Frankfurt Airport, Germany
Frankfurt Airport was the first in Germany to offer free and unlimited Wi-Fi to its users throughout the terminals. There are over 300 access points to avoid service disruptions.
Dublin Airport, Ireland
Dublin Airport offers one of the fastest Wi-Fi speeds in Europe, with free and unlimited access that doesn't require a login, making the connection process smooth and easy. They also offer paid wireless printing facilities and internet kiosks for rent.
Brussels Airport, Belgium
Brussels Airport provides free, unlimited Wi-Fi access throughout the airport, and they also have PCs available for rent at five different communication centers.
Vienna International Airport, Austria
Vienna International Airport offers unlimited and free Wi-Fi, and the seating areas for gates B and C are equipped with USB charging stations and power outlets.
Helsinki Airport, Finland
Helsinki Airport provides free and unlimited Wi-Fi throughout the airport via a short sign-in process. The best results are achieved when using a tablet or smartphone rather than a laptop.
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Frequently asked questions
No, but many airports around the world do offer free wifi. Airports with free wifi include Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore, Cochin International Airport, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Chennai International Airport, Lucknow Airport, Indore Airport, and Pune Airport. However, some airports that offer free wifi may require a local phone number to access it.
No, free airport wifi is not safe. Airports are ideal hunting grounds for cybercriminals because there are so many easy targets in one place. A report by Coronet found that the majority of public wifi systems at airports posed a notable risk to passengers' devices.
To protect yourself when using airport wifi, you can use your smartphone's personal hotspot or a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN boosts security by creating an encoded tunnel between your device and a server, making it harder for people to observe your network traffic.
