Café Wi‑Fi is fine for remote work if you treat it as untrusted: set your laptop to a public network profile, connect your VPN — or your company’s VPN — before opening work apps, keep file sharing off, and protect what’s on your screen as carefully as what’s on the network.
What makes café Wi‑Fi different
Café networks are usually consumer routers with one shared password, often printed on a wall or a receipt. They are rarely updated, everyone in the room is on the same network, and remote workers stay for hours — on video calls, in client documents and in company email. Coworking spaces are usually better run, but they are still shared networks.
Before you leave home
- Update your laptop and phone. Most attacks on shared networks rely on known, already-fixed weaknesses.
- Turn on disk encryption. FileVault on Mac or BitLocker / Device Encryption on Windows protects your files if the laptop is lost.
- Set a short screen lock. Two to five minutes, with a password or fingerprint.
- Use a password manager and passkeys or two-step verification on email, cloud storage and anything client-related.
- Know your company’s rules. Many employers require their own VPN for work systems. If yours does, use it.
When you connect
- Check the network name with staff. Copycat networks work in cafés as well as airports.
- Choose the Public profile on Windows, and keep the firewall on on Mac.
- Turn off sharing. File sharing, AirDrop (set to Contacts Only), printer and media sharing.
- Connect your VPN before opening work apps, so email, chat and cloud sync never run unprotected.
- Keep an eye on certificate warnings. On a café network, never click through one — switch to your phone’s hotspot instead.
Waysafe encrypts your connection with one tap and doesn’t keep activity logs. Free trial in the app.
On calls and with client files
- Use headphones and keep confidential calls for a quiet corner or a meeting room.
- Check what’s behind you before you turn the camera on.
- Use a privacy filter on your laptop screen in busy places.
- Lock your laptop every time you walk away, even to order.
- Share files through company tools, not personal email or USB drives.
Coworking spaces
Coworking spaces often give each member their own Wi‑Fi login, which is better than one shared password. Ask how the network is set up, use bookable rooms for sensitive calls, and keep your VPN on — the network is still shared with other companies.
Your company VPN or Waysafe?
If your employer gives you a VPN for work systems, use it for work. It is set up to reach company resources and may be required by policy. Waysafe protects your personal browsing and apps on public Wi‑Fi. Running two VPNs at the same time on one device usually causes conflicts, so use one at a time.
Related guide: Travel tech security checklist: what to do before you fly
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to work on café Wi‑Fi without a VPN?
Most work tools use HTTPS, so the content of your work is encrypted. The network can still see which services you use, and you are exposed to copycat networks. A VPN closes those gaps.
Can people on the same café Wi‑Fi see my files?
Not if file sharing is off and your firewall is on. They can’t see your screen through the network — but they can see it over your shoulder.
Is a phone hotspot better for remote work?
Often, yes. Mobile data runs directly to your carrier and isn’t shared with the room. It is a good fallback for sensitive calls if your data plan allows.
Do I need Waysafe if my company already has a VPN?
Use your company VPN for work. Waysafe is for protecting your own browsing and apps — for example on your personal phone — on public Wi‑Fi.
