VPN Safety

VPN Safety Checklist (Public Wi-Fi, remote work)

This checklist focuses on practical steps you can take when working in public spaces or handling remote work from home. It is Canada-focused and aligned with official guidance.

Who this is for

Canadians who work on shared Wi-Fi, travel for work, or access sensitive company or school accounts from home. It is also useful for families using public networks for banking and personal accounts.

Public Wi-Fi checklist

Confirm the exact network name with staff before connecting.
Turn on your VPN before opening email, banking, or work tools.
Disable file sharing and set the network to public in Windows.
Log out of sensitive accounts when you are done.

Illustration showing risks of using public Wi-Fi and how encryption helps protect data — Public Wi-Fi can expose traffic. A VPN adds encryption to reduce risk on untrusted networks.

Remote work checklist

Use a VPN when accessing work systems outside your home network.
Keep Windows updates and browser updates current.
Use strong, unique passwords and turn on multi-factor authentication.
Lock your screen when stepping away, even at home.

Canada guidance to reference

The Government of Canada recommends extra caution on public Wi-Fi. Review public Wi-Fi guidance and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security Wi-Fi security advice. For telework and travel context, this guidance also notes secure tunnel use: protecting your organization on Wi-Fi.

Printable checklist

Print or copy this list into your notes app so it is easy to review before you connect.

Verify network name
Turn on VPN before browsing
Use public network setting in Windows
Log out of sensitive accounts
Update Windows and browsers weekly

What to do / Why it matters

What to do: Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi. Why it matters: It encrypts traffic over risky networks.
What to do: Keep Windows updated. Why it matters: VPNs cannot patch device vulnerabilities.
What to do: Use MFA for work accounts. Why it matters: It reduces account takeover risk.

When a VPN helps

Public Wi-Fi at airports, cafés, or hotels.
Remote access to company dashboards or shared files.
Shared home Wi-Fi with multiple family members.

When a VPN does NOT help

It will not stop phishing or malicious attachments.
It does not replace antivirus or backups.
It cannot protect weak passwords.

Common mistakes

Connecting to public Wi-Fi before turning on a VPN.
Ignoring Windows updates and browser security warnings.
Using the same password across multiple services.

Next steps

Go back to the VPN Learning Hub, then read VPN in Canada or VPN Myths & Truths.