Enjoy secure Wi-Fi protection

Get info on Public Wi-Fi Protection available with AT&T Mobile Security Plus.

INSTRUCTIONS & INFO

Use Public Wi-Fi Protection to guard your data

This VPN security feature automatically checks each Wi-Fi® network connection before you link your device to make sure the network is secure. Public Wi-Fi Protection:¹

Safeguards your data if you join an open (unsecured) domestic Wi-Fi network at restaurants, hotels, airports, and other similar places.
Doesn't activate when you connect to a Wi-Fi network that it deems secure, like your home Wi-Fi network.

Heads up: Public Wi-Fi Protection is only available in the U.S. , not while traveling abroad. It isn't compatible with certain video streaming apps due to geographic restrictions, so that data bypasses or disconnects your VPN connection.

Your security is our top priority. Learn more about AT&T ActiveArmor

Enable and set up Public Wi-Fi Protection

When you upgrade to AT&T Mobile Security Plus,² the app prompts you to enable the Public Wi-Fi Protection. If you skipped that step:

Open the AT&T Mobile Security app.
Look for Wi-Fi Security on the home screen and tap Enable Now next to "Secure Wi-Fi VPN disabled".
If you have an Android device, accept the device location.
Add the VPN configuration request.
Assign device permissions as needed by operation system for location services, the VPN connection, and phone access.

When you connect to an unsecured Wi-Fi network, Public Wi-Fi Protection lets you know it's enabled for your Wi-Fi session.

Heads up:

You can find app updates in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
If permissions aren’t assigned, the app features may not work as expected.
You can find a list of device permissions and more details under AT&T Mobile Security's Terms & Conditions.

Disable Public Wi-Fi Protection

Open the app and tap Settings.
Scroll to Wi-Fi Security and toggle off.

This disables the Secure Wi-Fi VPN from launching whenever you connect to an open unsecured domestic network.

Known issues

Some Wi-Fi hotspots require you to sign in to a portal with personal info like your email address or accept terms and conditions, even though the Wi-Fi connection appears to be connected. To try to fix the issue:
1. Open your browser and type in the URL of the Wi-Fi hotspot you want to connect to) for example, starbucks.com)
2. If that doesn’t work, try something like google.com to try to make the portal open.
3. When the portal opens, enter the required info to use the Wi-Fi hotspot. Once you complete the steps, the VPN will auto-connect.
Have an LG device? Public Wi-Fi Protection has a conflict with AT&T Wi-Fi Calling when using airplane mode on some models. For all AT&T Wi-Fi Calling features to work, you should disable the Public Wi-Fi Protection. Go to Settings in the AT&T Mobile Security app and toggle the VPN off when using Wi-Fi Calling in airplane mode.
Public Wi-Fi Protection sometimes connects to secured Wi-Fi hotspots. Just open the AT&T Mobile Security app to stop the VPN from running.

See all important details

Last updated: July 15, 2021

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