Tourists in Barcelona: how to connect to the internet safely while exploring the city

Your phone becomes an essential tool for getting around the city. However, if you spend most of the day out and about, you’ll probably end up connecting to WiFi networks in hotels, cafés, airports, or other public spaces. At this point, it’s important to take a few precautions to avoid putting your data at risk.

Get your phone ready before leaving the hotel

When travelling, the best connection is the one you don’t need. Before heading out, download maps of the areas you plan to visit and make sure you have all the apps you’ll need for transport, bookings, or tickets installed and up to date.

It’s also a good idea to save any tickets or reservations you might need offline on your phone. That way, you won’t have to rely on WiFi when you’re at a station, museum, or restaurant.

As for your battery, remember to bring a power bank instead of plugging your phone into a socket when you’re out. Remember: a moment’s carelessness can end up being very costly.

Be careful with free WiFi

Hotel, café, or airport WiFi can be very handy when you don’t want to use your mobile data. Before connecting, though, make sure you’re actually using the venue’s official network.

It’s not a good idea to automatically connect to any open network with a similar name. If you’re unsure, ask the staff directly for the exact name of the connection and, if a password is required, make sure you enter it on the correct network.

Similarly, you can disable automatic connection to WiFi networks so your phone doesn’t try to connect on its own to access points you come across while out and about.

For sensitive tasks, use your own data

Looking up an address on Google Maps isn’t the same as making a bank transaction. If you need to enter personal information or passwords, use your mobile data instead of WiFi, unless you’re sure the network is trustworthy.

It’s also best to avoid saving passwords on shared devices and to check that any site where you enter personal data uses HTTPS connections. If in doubt, you can always wait until you’re back at your accommodation and use a connection you know.

Set up a VPN before you travel

If you know you’ll be using WiFi outside your accommodation, you can download a VPN before you leave home. A VPN creates an encrypted connection between your device and the VPN server, adding a layer of protection when you browse on certain networks. The most practical thing is to set it up before your trip, while you still have your own connection and can check that everything works properly.

This doesn’t mean it makes any network completely safe or that you can let your guard down with other precautions. If you’re going to check your bank, make a payment, or enter personal data, it’s still better to use your mobile data whenever possible. Click on VPN download to get Surfshark and change your IP among more than 4,500 servers in around a hundred countries.

Keep your phone updated

System and app updates aren’t just for adding new features. They can also fix security vulnerabilities, so it’s a good idea to install any pending updates before you start your trip.

The same goes for the apps you use for bookings, transport, maps, or payments. Keeping them updated reduces the risk of malfunctions and avoids finding yourself needing an update just when you need to use the app.

It’s also worth enabling two-step authentication on your most important accounts. If someone manages to get hold of a password, this second verification method requires a temporary code that only you can access.

Physically protect your phone too

Security while travelling isn’t just about the internet. Although Barcelona is safe, like any tourist city with busy areas, you’ll be passing through stations, shopping streets, attractions, and other places where it’s easy to get distracted.

Don’t leave your phone on a terrace table or keep it somewhere it could be exposed while you’re checking a map. And if you use your phone to show a ticket or reservation, try to put it away again afterwards instead of keeping it in your hand for the whole journey.

Before you travel, also check that you have your device’s location features and remote lock and wipe options enabled, whether through Find my iPhone or Google’s Find My Device.

Don’t rely on your phone for everything

The last tip is the simplest and the one you’ll be most grateful for if technology fails: keep a copy of your reservation, tickets, and the address where you’re staying handy. If you run out of battery or lose signal, you’ll be glad you did.

The idea isn’t to spend your trip worrying about digital security, but to take the necessary steps. Once you’ve downloaded your maps, updated your apps, and set up your security measures, you can focus on what matters: following your route, making it to your reservation on time, and enjoying the city.