Be careful with free Wi-Fi maps. Always use a VPN to connect to public Wi-Fi.
With the advent of unlimited data plans, there's less need to find Wi-Fi. Mobile hotspots also simplify things for Wi-Fi-only devices, but this isn't the case for everyone. Wi-Fi remains important for many people. Not everyone has a plan with unlimited data, and reception isn't always good enough. In such cases, Wi-Fi remains essential.
Some places are ideal for free Wi-Fi. Cafés, for example, are among the best known. But networks are often protected by passwords or other forms of authentication.
Be careful with free Wi-Fi maps
To make sure your destination has free Wi-Fi, you can use a Wi-Fi map. These services compile all the free Wi-Fi networks available in your area. Be careful, however, to choose carefully. These services are obvious targets, because developers know that many people will be looking for free Wi-Fi.
As far as apps are concerned, your best bet is still WiFi Map. The service has its own site, if you don't want the app, but the iOS and Android apps allow you to see a more detailed map of networks, complete with signal quality.
WiFi Map isn't perfect, especially when it comes to privacy. The iOS app has access to your purchase history, user ID and device ID, as well as data linked to that user ID. However, it's better than the competition. Another app, Instabridge, tracks your device ID and data usage. It can also collect data linked to your identity, as well as your browsing history and user ID. Whichever app you use, it's best to prevent tracking, whether via Apple's App Tracking Transparency or the DuckDuckGo app on Android.
Always use a VPN to connect to public Wi-Fi
Once you know you'll have free Wi-Fi here or there, you shouldn't connect to it without a VPN. Why not? Because free Wi-Fi can spy on you and leave you vulnerable. You've probably already read that you shouldn't access your bank's website from public Wi-Fi, but you really shouldn't do anything on public Wi-Fi without protecting your connection.
While using a VPN may seem like a lot of hassle just to connect to Slack from a Starbucks, you'll be reducing the risks considerably. VPNs encrypt your traffic and route it to a proxy server, usually in a foreign country. This means an outside observer can't access your traffic, nor can they know where you are, even if you're sitting right next to them.
All this to say that free Wi-Fi should be your last option. If possible, use your smartphone's mobile hotspot and make sure the connection is password-protected. But be honest: we all use free Wi-Fi when we really need it. As always today, it's all about doing things as securely as possible.