Dear CNET members,
Happy Friday! This week's topic is Jon's security concerns over using public Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity)--whether using trusted sources like hotel chains, retail book stores, or coffee shops are safer versus using open networks not managed by major retailers. Pay attention because there is a lot of great information provided by our members that will help you become more aware of the concerns of using Wi-Fi access points. Let's get started.
No doubt, public Wi-Fi access is awesome. I personally use it all the time when I'm on the go and the convenience of it is second to none. However, as many members have pointed out --using any Wi-Fi access point, whether it is from a trusted retailer or not, is a risk. I like how member Hyort simply puts it: "Sending messages over Wi-Fi is kind of like sending messages by smoke signal. You're connected through an open access point, anybody who can see the smoke can read your message." And it is so true. While you can protect your stored information on your computer by having all the right security utilities (firewall, antivirus, etc...), what's being transmitted/broadcasted over the airwaves can be captured (unless that transmitted data is encrypted). The information reads like an open book. So a good rule of thumb is unless you are using a VPN (virtual private network) to transmit personal data across a Wi-Fi network, except when absolutely necessary, don't transmit anything that you wouldn't write on a postcard and send out for the world to see.
We have many great member answers for you--ranging from the "don't do" on ensuring your safety for using public Wi-Fi to some general good practices. So read up and learn! If any member has additional tips or suggestions about accessing public Wi-Fi safely, please join us in this week's discussion and share a little about your public Wi-Fi experiences--good or bad. The more we advise one another, the more we'll be safer and confident when using public Wi-Fi services. Thanks everyone! And have a great weekend!
Cheers!
- Lee
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I have heard much about how Wi-Fi is not secure. Yet last week a news report lead me to believe that the problem is when people log into Wi-Fi networks where the administrator/company is unknown and unscrupulous as they can see what you are doing and then steal passwords, credit card numbers, and so on. The report inferred that a Wi-Fi network is OK if it is from a trusted source like your known hotel chain, Borders, or Starbucks where the network manager wouldn't do that--we assume anyway. Is this true that the problem comes from is who is running the network or are all Wi-Fi open networks easily open to hackers and theft? A follow up question, would a Wi-Fi network from a trusted source with a simple access password for all (even if given to a hacker) stop all the problems? And are there actual ways that one can securely use public Wi-Fi networks without worries of hackers and possible theft of personal information? Thank you. 
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