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How secure is Public WiFi Internet Access?

You should be aware that Public Wireless Internet Access inherently increases your computer exposure to all sorts of Internet hazards, however there are few tips to help keeping your computer not "so exposed"

Tip #1 - All public WiFi hotspots disable encryption to provide a hassle free login for users. What this means is that your data is not encrypted as it travels through the air and can be read by a hackers' utilities. You have to act as if there is always someone looking over your shoulder because someone might be.

Tip # 2 -If you intend to perform financial transactions, ensure that you are doing so over an SSL-encrypted connection.

Tip #3 - Beware the “Evil Twin”. An “Evil Twin” is a hacker operated hotspot designed to trick users into believing it is a legitimate public hotspot by mimicking the legitimate public hotspot’s network name and login page (if applicable). Once the user has connected to the “rogue” hotspot, the hacker may even go as far as mimicking login pages for popular email and banking sites thereby stealing the user’s most valued login credentials.

Tip #4- Turn your firewall on and configure your wireless network settings as follows: Start > Settings > Network Connections > Wireless Network Connection > Change Advanced Settings > Advanced Tab > Windows Firewall Settings > Select “On” > OK

Turn ad-hoc mode off: Start > Settings > Network Connections > Wireless Network Connection > Change Advanced Settings > Wireless Networks Tab > Select Network > Properties > Uncheck “This is a computer-to-computer (ad-hoc) network” > OK

Tip # 5- Disable file sharing: Start > Settings > Network Connections > Wireless Network Connection > Change Advanced Settings > Uncheck “File and Printer Sharing” > OK

Tip #6- Keep both your operating system and anti-virus software current with the latest updates.