Connect to unsecured wireless internet and protect my computer?

Question

I live in a large apartment complex and my computer picks up different wireless internet connections. There is one unsecured one and it connects to it. It works fine but I hear commonly that when connected to an unsecured wireless network, it can lead to all sorts of nasty things. I don't want anyone able to send viruses, worms, ect, into my computer and I also don't want anyone to be able to see my documents, pictures and what I do online, such as buying, chat, passwords, ect. How can I protect myself from this? What programs do I need to download? (FREE PROGRAMS PLEASE) Also, do I need to enscrypt anything? If so, how can I do that? What are the steps? Thanks very much!

Answer 1

OK, the things you are describing are not very likely to happen no more then if you are on someones secure wireless connection.

First thing I have to say is Please stop stealing others Wireless Internent bandwidth. If you are not paying for it and someone else is then you can be prosecuted for THEFT OF SERVICES.

Now back to the question. As long as you have a Anti-virus, anti-spyware and a firewall program installed on your computer and you have not enabled file and printer sharing on your computer you are as safe as you possibly can be, with the exception of not connecting at all.

If you need any of those program types I mentioned then goto http://www.download.com and search for the key words I mentioned.

Answer 2

I occasionally find myself in your position. It is possible for things as you described to happen, but it could happen even on a hardline connection. When a wifi connection is unsecured, it simply means that the owner did not password protect it allowing anyone in range of the router to use it freely. As far as protection, I use AVG, which has a free version as well as a full version that has to be purchased. It can be found by using Google. Other than that, just take reasonable caution in protecting your data. I routinely use my laptop with wifi at various cafes without problems.

Answer 3

YOU want to protect YOUR computer? I hope you realize that using open wireless connections without the owners consent is illegal and can carry a prison sentence. You can not secure against anyone reading your traffic on an open connection, and maybe some of the open connections are deliberately open to do just that.

Answer 4

If you connect to a wireless network on your building that isnt your and isn't encrypted, the people who own the wireless network can view what you do online, there isnt a way to avoid it but to encrypt your connection, but then you'd have to get the encryption code for one of the other networks.

Answer 5

Make sure you enable "Windows Firewall" on your pc. Or..download a personal firewall software to protect yourself, such as ZoneAlarm.

Answer 6

I don not understand . you wanna protect your computer with programs fror free? come on. don't be tight -fisted.
if you want something good you have to spend some money.