Macbooks and iPhones with personal hotspots?

So I noticed on my macbook that when I click the Wi-Fi icon, my iPhone pops up and I can activate a personal hotspot from the laptop. This might be a big concern for me; if, for example, I'm in an airport, can a random person with a macbook activate a personal hotspot from my phone without me knowing? Or is it specific to my laptop since my phone has synced to it multiple times?

It's specific to your iCloud account.

No…

Of course its for you & you alone to do.

Its though the Apple ID which you've signed into on both devices.

Although you initially have to start the hotspot on the phone 1st before it shows up anywhere.

On my macbook that when I click the Wi-Fi icon, my iPhone pops up and I can activate a personal hotspot from the laptop."

That is because you activated a hotspot from the iPhone.

"if, for example, I'm in an airport, can a random person with a macbook activate a personal hotspot from my phone without me knowing?"

No one can affect ANYTHING on your iPhone without having the iPhone in hand.

"is it specific to my laptop since my phone has synced to it multiple times?"

I don't understand this. If your phone is broadcasting a hotspot, it is not specific to anything. Anyone with the password can connect.