Whether you're checking directions, replying to emails, or letting family know you've arrived safely, connecting to public Wi-Fi is one of the first things many travelers do after landing. But cybersecurity experts say that habit could put your personal information at risk.

According to a recent McAfee survey, 63% of travelers use public Wi-Fi while traveling, making it one of the most common digital security risks on the road.

Rather than sophisticated hacking, experts say many scams now rely on fake Wi-Fi networks and fraudulent login pages designed to trick travelers into entering passwords or personal information.

To stay safer while traveling, experts recommend:

* Verify the official Wi-Fi network name with hotel, airport, or café staff.

* Avoid entering sensitive information if a login page looks suspicious.

* Never install software or updates requested by a public Wi-Fi network.

* Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on important accounts.

* Consider using a trusted VPN when connecting to public networks.

If you believe you've connected to a fake network or entered your login credentials, change your passwords immediately and enable multi-factor authentication to help secure your accounts.

The Takeaway: Free Wi-Fi is convenient, but it's worth taking a few extra seconds to verify you're connecting to the right network. Simple habits like confirming the network name and using multi-factor authentication can significantly reduce your risk while traveling.