Stay Secure while Hot -- Securing your PC at Wireless Hotspots

From bookstores to hotels, cafes to even fast food chains, wireless hotspots are becoming more popular in public places. Most are even free to paying customers - but there is one problem: security.

Most hotspots are open networks (networks that lack security), which make any PC connected to it vulnerable to security breaches. A lack of security on your machine could make you vulnerable as well. Knowing how to protect your machine is key when using hotspots.

So what can you do to protect yourself? Here are some tips to make your machine more secure in public places.

Make sure that your firewall is activated. A firewall is a system that secures a network, shielding it from access by unauthorized users. By default, Windows operating systems such as XP and Vista come with a built-in firewall.

Enable Windows Firewall in XP

1. Click Start , and then click Control Panel .

2. In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections .

3. In the Network Connections window, under Network Tasks, click Change Windows Firewall Settings .

4. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, on the General tab, ensure that On is selected.

Enable Windows Firewall in Vista

1. Click Start and then click Control Panel .

2. In Control Panel, select Network and Internet .

3. Under Windows Firewall, click Turn Windows Firewall on or off .

4. Ensure that On is selected.

Disable file and printer sharing. File and printer sharing allows you to share the contents of selected folders and locally attached printers with other computers on a network. Once a folder or printer is shared, other users on the network can connect to it using a variety of methods. Disabling this option prevents unauthorized access to your files and printers.

Disable file and printer sharing in Windows XP

1. Click Start , and then click Control Panel .

2. In Control Panel, click Security Center .

3. In the Security Center window, click Windows Firewall .

4. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, click the Exceptions tab.

5. On the Exceptions tab, under Programs and Services, clear the File and Printer Sharing check box and then click OK .

Disable file and printer sharing in Windows Vista

1. Click Start and then click Control Panel .

2. In Control Panel, select Network and Sharing Center .

3. Under Sharing and Discovery, turn File Sharing and Printer Sharing to Off.

If this is not an option for you then consider removing sensitive data from your machine.

Encrypt your files. File encryption (or data encryption) is a secure process for keeping your sensitive and confidential information private. The File Encryption process makes the file(s) unreadable unless or until decrypted. A password, which is created when you decrypt files, is required to open or modify any encrypted files. Windows has a built-in encryption which can be found on the sites below.

Windows XP: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/learnmore/encryptdata.mspx

Windows Vista: http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5a2b6b98-9833-4d73-967e-9293bd1a54e91033.mspx

Next, when trying to choose connections, try choosing the most secure, such as networks that require network access keys or other types of security. A secure connection can protect your machine from unauthorized users.

Finally, limit your usage to basic Internet surfing. Don't do anything that requires sensitive information such as passwords or credit cards. So save the online banking or online shopping until you are in a more secure network.

These few simple adjustments should make connecting to a hotspot more secure.