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public wireless hot spots and sites?

I have a question regarding people hacking into your computer or accessing your information at public wireless hot spots and sites. I have read a lot of info about how people can access passwords and codes at wireless hot spots because the connections are "unsecured." What does this mean exactly? 1. Does it mean that I should not be on (in real time) any banking or shopping sites because hackers could access my info in real time? 2. OR does it mean that regardless of what site I'm on, e.g. just reading the news... hackers could access passwords, codes or credit card information stored in the computer? 3. does it make a difference if I tell the computer not to "remember" the passwords and codes when I use them at home (e.g. over a secure network)? 4. and I'm assuming that if I am using a secure network, at home... then information is NOT available. I'm not very computer savvy... so please explain answers clearly. Btw, I use firefox and windows vista. THANK YOU!

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1. These sites answer your questions as provided below. It won't matter what browser or what system you are using. It does make it more convient that you use firefox in that you'll have an easier time ensuring that you have the proper add-ons installed. (Besides that, I LOVE firefox! lol) Here are three quick tips for enjoying the convenience of public WiFi and helping to protect your privacy. • Use a firewall If your computer uses Windows Vista or Windows XP and you've installed Service Pack 2, you have a built-in firewall that's turned on by default. You can configure Windows Firewall to provide better protection when you're using a public wireless network. For more information, see Understanding Windows Firewall or Connecting to Wireless Networks with Windows Vista. If your computer doesn't use Windows Vista or Windows XP, see Firewall FAQ. • Hide your files When you use public WiFi, network encryption is often out of your control. Check the privacy statement on the network's Web site to learn about the type of encryption they use. (If they don't have a privacy statement, you'd be better off not using the network.) If you keep personal or financial information on your computer, consider investing in an operating system, such as Windows XP Professional, that includes the tools to protect your information through encryption. To learn more, see Encrypt Your Data to Keep it Safe. • Don't type in credit card numbers or passwords These measures provide some protection against casual hackers and identity thieves who prey on wireless networks. But if criminals are determined enough, they will eventually find a way to get around any security system. If you want to be safe, avoid typing any sensitive information, such as your credit card number or any other financial information, while you use a public wireless network. Tip Tip: If you must enter credit card numbers while using a public wireless network, make sure there is a locked padlock icon at the bottom right corner of the browser window, and make sure the Web address begins with https: ("s" for secure). • Turn off your wireless network when you're not using it If you're not surfing the Internet or sending e-mail, but still using your computer in an area where there is a public wireless network, disable your wireless connection. If you're using an external WiFi card you can remove it. If you're using an internal WiFi card, right-click the connection and click Disable. For more information see, Managing your network connections. _____________________________ 7 tips for working securely from wireless hotspots Wireless hotspots are changing the way people work. These wireless local area networks (LANs) provide high speed Internet access in public locations—as well as at home—and require nothing more than a notebook PC with a wireless card. From coffeeshops to restaurants, airports to hotel lobbies, hotspots are ubiquitous. They are the de facto connection method for travelers and remote workers to access the Internet, their e-mail, and even their corporate networks. Hotspots range from paid services, such as T-Mobile or Boingo, to free connections at your local coffee shop or library. But they all have one thing in common: These are all open networks that are vulnerable to security breaches. And that means it's up to you to protect the data on your PC. Here are a few tips to make working in public locations more secure. 1. Try to choose more secure connections. It's not always possible to choose your connection type—but when you can, opt for wireless networks that require a network security key or have some other form of security, such as a certificate. The information sent over these networks is encrypted, which can help protect your computer from unauthorized access. The security features of different networks appear along with the network name as your PC discovers them. 2. Make sure your firewall is activated. A firewall helps protect your mobile PC by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network. It acts as a barrier that checks all incoming information, and then either blocks the information or allows it to come through. All Microsoft Windows operating systems come with a firewall, and you can make sure it's turned on. To activate the Windows XP Firewall 1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. display:none 2. In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections. display:none 3. In the Network Connections window, under Network Tasks, click Change Windows Firewall Settings. display:none 4. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, on the General tab, ensure that On is selected. display:none To activate the Windows Vista Firewall 1. Click Start and then click Control Panel. display:none 2. In Control Panel, select Network and Internet. display:none 3. Under Windows Firewall, click Turn Windows Firewall on or off. display:none 4. Ensure that On is selected. display:none 3. Monitor your access points. Chances are, there are multiple wireless networks anywhere you're trying to connect. These connections are all access points, because they link into the wired system that gives you Internet access. So how do you make sure you're connecting to the right one? Simple—by configuring your PC to let you approve access points before you connect. Configure Windows XP Access Points 1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. display:none 2. In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections. display:none 3. In the Network Connections window, right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties. display:none 4. In the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box, on the Wireless Networks tab, make sure that the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings check box is selected. display:none 5. Under Preferred networks, make sure that the name of the network that you want to connect to is highlighted, and then click Advanced. display:none 6. In the Advanced dialog box, click Access point (infrastructure) network only, and then click Close. display:none 7. Click OK. display:none Configure Windows Vista Access Points Windows Vista takes the guesswork out of connecting to hotspots because you are automatically prompted to approve new connections. In addition, after you approve a connection, you assign it a profile for future use. display:none 4. Disable file and printer sharing: File and printer sharing is a feature that enables other computers on a network to access resources on your computer. When using your mobile PC in a hotspot, it's best to disable file and printer sharing because when enabled, it leaves your computer vulnerable to hackers. Remember, though, to turn this feature back on when you return to the office. Disable file and printer sharing in Windows XP 1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. display:none 2. In Control Panel, click Security Center. display:none 3. In the Security Center window, click Windows Firewall. display:none 4. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, click the Exceptions tab. display:none 5. On the Exceptions tab, under Programs and Services, clear the File and Printer Sharing check box and then click OK. display:none Disable file and printer sharing in Windows Vista 1. Click Start and then click Control Panel. display:none 2. In Control Panel, select Network and Sharing Center. display:none 3. Under Sharing and Discovery, turn File Sharing and Printer Sharing to off. display:none 5. Make your folders private. When the folders on your mobile PC are private, it's more difficult for hackers to access your files. To make a folder private in Windows XP: 1. Click Start, and then click My Computer. display:none 2. In the My Computer window, double click the drive where Windows is installed, and then double click Documents and Settings. display:none 3. Double click your user folder, right-click the folder that you want to make private, and then click Properties. display:none 4. In the Properties dialog box, on the Sharing tab, click Do no share this folder, and then click OK. Repeat the steps above for each folder that you want to make private. display:none To make a folder private in Windows Vista Windows Vista not only makes folders private by default, but it also requires passwords for shared folders. As a result, you're already covered! But if you want to double check, simply right click on the folder in question, and select Properties. On the Security tab, you can review the set permissions. display:none 6. Encrypt your files. You can protect your files further by encrypting them, which requires a password to open or modify them. Because you must perform this procedure on one file at a time, consider password-protecting only the files that you plan to use while working in a public place. • Encrypt files using Windows XP. • Encrypt files using Windows Vista. 7. Consider completely removing sensitive data from your notebook PC. If you're working with extremely sensitive data, it might be worth taking it off your notebook PC altogether. Instead, keep it behind the corporate firewall and use your company's VPN to access it when necessary. This way, you have multiple safeguards in place. A few simple precautions can help make working in public places more secure. And by selecting the best connections and adjusting settings, you can enjoy productive and safe work sessions no matter where you are.