Ways to stay safe while using a public Wi-Fi.

For most people who do not have a paid Wireless Internet access through an ISP, any chance that they get to access the Internet on the go for free is welcomed news, be it at the local coffee shop or at the airport during a long delay or at the local library branch.
But as tempting as that may sounds, some words of caution will go a long way. The rule of thumb is to use a public Wi-Fi only for mundane Web browsing, nothing that requires to log in via a password like checking emails or accessing bank accounts etc.
The reasons for that is because even if you are using an encrypted public Wi-Fi, your information is only hidden from people outside the network; all others that are able to log in in the same network, can see them.
Even people using a prepaid Wireless access card are not absolutely immune from snoopers, surprisingly. Here is why: the paid Wi-Fi service provider may use encryption at the very moment when you log in if it is prepaid, or when you enter your credit card number if is pay as you go, as to protect your data. But usually, once you are in, any data you send or view, is not encrypted therefore can be seen by other people in the network unless you only visit sites that use the secure HTTPS delivery system.

If you do a lot of work outside the physical bondaries of the company you work for, it may be a good idea for the company to offer what is called a VPN or virtual private network in which all Intenet traffic are highly encrypted regardless of what type of connection you are using: public or private. If not, you still still almost as much safe using one of the VPN products offered by various providers, some free, like the HotSpot Shield from AnchorFree.


For more, see pcworld.com