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There was a time not that long ago when you had to be at home or at your office to access the Internet. This is no longer true, of course. Free Wi-Fi is available and easy to use virtually everywhere, from restaurants to airports to coffee shops.

Wi-Fi usually doesn't cost anything and you can hook up with little effort, but it's not exactly manna from heaven. If you fail to take the proper precautions, you could be making it all too easy for hackers to steal information you should be keeping to yourself.

Sort of Safe and Secure

If you must use public Wi-Fi networks, here are some tips that will help keep your information as safe as possible.

• Take care of your really important tasks, such as online banking or shopping, when you get home or to the office.
• Avoid unsecured networks -- those that are completely unencrypted so people can log onto them easily. If a network doesn't require a password, you might as well assume that a hacker is greedily watching everything you are sending and receiving.
• Just because a network requires a user name and password doesn't mean you are surfing away with a secure wireless connection.
• When you are on a Wi-Fi network, avoid websites that don't have "https" in the address bar. Https gives you a secure connection using SSL (short sockets layer) security, a protocol developed specifically to transmit private documents. If you access the Internet with applications other than your Web browser – an FTP or mail client, for example – you should enable SSL secure connections for each application.
• If you are serious about security, use a VPN (virtual private network), a secure, encrypted tunnel through which your computer talks to the Internet. There are several options, but keep in mind that there is a downside to those you can download for free.

Paying Extra

You can purchase a VPN account, which is probably a good option if you spend a lot of time on the road. Here are some factors to consider if you decide to pay for the extra security.

• Price - This is obvious, but it also should be obvious that the least expensive providers offer limited features and slower performance.
• Contract - You'll get a better deal if you sign on for a longer period of time.
• Location - Different VPN providers have servers in different countries. A VPN can also make you appear to come from a different country, helping to get around blocked sites if you live in a part of the world where the internet is censored.
• Encryption strength - You will pay more for stronger encryption.
• Compatibility - With some VPN servers, you must use special client software.
• Logging - Make sure your VPN provider does not record your Internet activities.
• Speed - Some lower-cost providers overload their servers, which slows things down.

Secure Your Files

One way to keep your information private while you're on a public network is to disable file sharing. If you are using Windows, you can turn off file sharing by:

• Clicking the start button;
• Typing "Network and Sharing Center" into the start menu's search box;
• Selecting "Network and Sharing Center" from the results;
• Selecting "choose home group and sharing options," then selecting the files and printers to be unshared, if necessary.

If you are using a Mac, visit http://www.safegadget.com/30/free-security-how-to-computer-security-computer-protection-on-macintosh/ for instructions on how to disable file sharing.

Fire Up the Firewall

Another way to keep hackers from finding information you don't want them to find is to enable your firewall. Windows 7 and Windows Vista have a built-in firewall. Mac's Mountain Lion, system 10.8, prevents applications from crashing the system by giving them limited access to the system's files and resources. Older Mac systems come with built-in options that help keep the computer secure as well.

Finally, this might be a bit basic, but it is important. When you finish using a public wireless network, turn off your Wi-Fi connection so you won't have to deal with any accidental data leakage.
Free public Wi-Fi is convenient, giving you the opportunity to access the Internet from just about anywhere. You should take precautions, however, to be sure your journey through cyberspace is a safe one.

Author Bio
Norman Fong is Co-Founder of BuyVia, an online and iOS App smart shopping service that lists reputable products from top online stores, at the best price available. By downloading the BuyVia iOS App to their iPhone or iPad, consumers can be alerted to the best deals on the most popular products, anywhere and anytime.