I am notoriously early for everything but especially to airports. While this always eliminates the worry of being late, it also leaves me with extra downtime once at the gate.

Airport WiFi helps pass the time, but I often wonder just how safe it is. A recent independent study produced some answers.

Cloud security company Coronet conducted a five-month study of device vulnerability and network risk at 45 of the country’s busiest airports. Each airport earned a threat index score based on that study. The most obvious issues are unencrypted, unsecure or improperly configured networks. The less obvious and more dangerous issues are seemingly safe, airport WiFi servers that are actually outside malicious servers ready to attack your system in various ways.

Fortunately, for me, Chicago’s Midway Airport was ranked the safest, with Raleigh-Durham International Airport close behind. Rounding out the top 5 safest airports are Nashville International, Washington Dulles International and San Antonio International.

According to the study, on the other end of the spectrum, San Diego International Airport was ranked the least safe. The rest of the bottom five: John Wayne Airport-Orange County, William P. Houston Hobby, Southwest Florida International and Newark Liberty International.

Airports may sacrifice security for consumer convenience, but the onus is still on the individual WiFi user. Minimize your risk by doing a little pre-trip research on legitimate airport servers. You should always have protection on each device no matter where you are. Lastly, be willing to pay for a legitimate service.

Of course, the best and healthiest option might be to take care of all of your business prior to arriving at the airport. Then stay disconnected and peacefully read a book, watch a movie or catch some extra sleep.

— John Wroblewski, online writer