Hotel Wi‑Fi is not automatically unsafe, but it is never a network you should blindly trust. Tom Eston and Scott Wright break down Microsoft’s CaptiveCrunch reporting, including how manipulated captive portals can lead to credential phishing, device-code abuse, and malware delivery.

They cover what HTTPS and VPNs actually protect, why a lock icon does not prove a page is legitimate, the warning signs that should make travelers disconnect, and when a cellular hotspot is the better choice. Scott also shares an update on his Digital Legacy Tree book and tools.

** Links mentioned on the show **

Microsoft Threat Intelligence — CaptiveCrunch: Midnight Blizzard targets travelers worldwide for malware delivery and credential theft https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2026/07/31/captivecrunch-midnight-blizzard-targets-travelers-worldwide-for-malware-delivery-and-credential-theft/

FBI hotel Wi‑Fi guidance https://watech.wa.gov/fbi-warns-cyber-risks-when-telecommuters-use-hotel-wi-fi

FCC — Cybersecurity Tips for International Travelers https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/cybersecurity-tips-international-travelers

Scott Wright — Digital Legacy Tree book and tools https://securityperspectives.com/digital-legacy-tools

** Watch this episode on YouTube **

https://youtu.be/TBqKfiGayfo

** Become a Shared Security Supporter **

Get exclusive access to bonus episodes, listen to new episodes before they are released, receive a monthly shout-out on the show, and get a discount code for 15% off merch at the Shared Security store. Become a supporter today by going to our YouTube channel's membership section: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg9CCDIYkDDqwEZ3UYaxjnA/join

** Thank you to our sponsors! **

SLNT

Visit https://slnt.com to check out SLNT's amazing line of Faraday bags and other products built to protect your privacy. As a listener of this podcast you receive 10% off your order at checkout using discount code "sharedsecurity".

** Subscribe and follow the podcast **

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SharedSecurityPodcast

Follow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sharedsecurity.bsky.social

Follow us on Mastodon: https://infosec.exchange/@sharedsecurity

Join us on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/SharedSecurityShow/

Visit our website: https://sharedsecurity.net

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://sharedsecurity.net/subscribe

Sign-up for our email newsletter to receive updates about the podcast, contest announcements, and special offers from our sponsors: https://shared-security.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Leave us a rating and review: https://ratethispodcast.com/sharedsecurity

Contact us: https://sharedsecurity.net/contact