Yes, I'm on vacation.
Yes, I'm on vacation.
I'm from the United States, but I finally obtained the hotel's Wi-Fi password. Since Google isn't assisting, using my phone to capture the signal and connecting via USB tethering to my laptop is the better option. This setup is more secure than a simple daisy chain.
It won’t assist you in any way. Your information keeps traveling through their network.
Wi-Fi encryption keeps your activity private as long as it uses a strong standard like WPA2. When a site supports HTTPS, the Wi-Fi network only reveals the host name (e.g., and not the content or your actions. The operator can't see what you're reading or typing. If security isn’t sufficient, a VPN is necessary—it hides everything except your connection to it. Tethering adds no extra protection; it’s like having someone else carry your messages over a phone line, making it just as vulnerable.
To enhance security for public WiFi browsing, consider using a VPN such as Tailscale. With a home device connected via Tailnet, you can configure it as an "exit node." This directs all client devices' traffic through the encrypted tunnel back to your location and then outward to the Internet. Only your ISP sees the data.
As long as the website uses HTTPS and your browser accepts its certificate, everything should be okay. The only information the hotel can see is that you're browsing the shopping site—no purchases, passwords, or payment details are visible. If a site lacks HTTPS today, I wouldn't rely on it under any circumstances.
It seems wise to maintain a bit of caution while traveling overseas, as it helps you stay more aware than when you're comfortable at home.