New Delhi, Dec. 24 -- Holiday travel has a way of pushing us onto public Wi-Fi without much thought. Between crowded airports, delayed flights, hotel check-ins, and cafe stops in new cities, staying connected becomes a necessity. Boarding passes live on our phones, cab bookings depend on apps, and family updates can't wait.

During Christmas and New Year, when mobile networks slow down, public Wi-Fi feels like the easiest option. But this is also when risks quietly increase. Travellers are distracted, networks are crowded, and unsafe connections are easier to miss. A few simple precautions can help you stay connected without compromising your data.

A virtual private network (VPN) should be your first line of defence while travelling. Pub...