The most dangerous threat on public Wi-Fi is the man-in-the-middle attack, where cybercriminals position themselves between you and the connection point. This gives them the ability to intercept your data without you realizing it. At busy airports or popular coffee shops, these attacks are particularly common due to the high volume of potential victims.

Packet sniffing presents another significant risk. Using readily available software tools, hackers can capture and analyze data packets traveling across the network. This passive attack is especially concerning because it leaves no visible traces while potentially exposing your emails, messages, and browsing activity.

Session hijacking has become increasingly sophisticated on public networks. Attackers steal browser cookies containing your login credentials, allowing them to take over active sessions on your banking, email, or social media accounts without needing your password.

Malware distribution thrives in these environments. Unsecured networks make it easier for attackers to inject malicious code into websites you visit or prompt fake software updates. Airport Wi-Fi users are particularly vulnerable as they're often distracted and rushing to check information before flights.

SSL stripping attacks downgrade secure HTTPS connections to unencrypted HTTP without your knowledge, exposing sensitive information you believe is being transmitted securely. This sophisticated technique bypasses standard security measures many travelers rely on.