Guides
Public Wi‑Fi risks on iPhone — what VPN fixes and what it does not
Airports and cafés are convenient. Here is the honest threat model for FollowNet users on shared hotspots.
What shared networks expose
On open or poorly managed Wi‑Fi, other clients and the hotspot operator can observe unencrypted traffic and attempt local attacks. HTTPS still matters for sites, but a VPN adds a private path from your iPhone to the VPN server so local snoopers see less of your session.
What FollowNet changes
With the tunnel up — WireGuard, IKEv2, AmneziaWG, or Hysteria2 via Smart Connect — your device traffic is encrypted to FollowNet before it leaves the café SSID. Auto-connect on Wi‑Fi Only is the habit that makes this real instead of optional.
What VPN will not fix
Phishing pages, malware you install, weak App Store account security, and shoulder-surfing still win. Captive portals can also require a clear login before VPN works. FollowNet encrypts transport; it is not antivirus or a password manager.
A simple café checklist
Join Wi‑Fi, complete the portal if needed, confirm FollowNet is connected (widget or main screen), avoid entering credentials on sketchy HTTP pages, and use Speed Test if the hotspot feels broken after connect.