Did you know that the wireless signals sent between your computer and an unsecured Internet connection can be intercepted by anyone with a computer and a piece of free software? In fact, every single piece of information you send over the airwaves is prone to eavesdropping, including emails, passwords, Twitter messages, files and more. Thankfully, there are several ways to protect yourself and your data.

The Risks

It is hard to explain the risks involved with unsecured Internet connections without freaking you out. The reality is that even the most amateur hacker can install a program on his or her computer, and within minutes be capturing everything being sent between any computers on an unsecured wireless network. Thankfully, when you communicate with a site that uses the secure HTTP protocol (like your bank or other financial service), you’ll be safe.

How to Protect Yourself

The first step to protecting your data is to be aware of what you are connecting to. Always try to resist the urge to connect to every random Wi-Fi hotspots that you come across. The easiest way to keep your data protected is to simply avoid connecting to any Wi-Fi hotspot that you don’t recognize. Stick to the services offered in your hotel or at the airport. Even at those locations, be aware of “honeypot” hotspot names – these are set up by people with the sole purpose of gathering your personal information.

Once you are connected to a hotspot, the next step is to ensure the data you transmit can’t be intercepted. The easiest way to accomplish this is with a VPN (Virtual Private Network) application. These programs encrypt all your Internet traffic, and send it to a central server, where it then goes on to its destination. One of the most popular free solutions comes from AnchorFree, and is called Hotspot Shield. One disadvantage to this service is that it can sometimes slow down your surfing. A more professional solution is called HotSpotVPN. This VPN service works on almost any device that supports setting up VPN connections, including the iPhone. HotSpotVPN costs $8.88/month, and the setup procedure is pretty straightforward.

Other Risks

There are other risks involved with public Internet services that you may not be aware of – when you pay to use an Internet terminal in a public cafe or hotel, the computer could contain “keyloggers” or other spyware, so always avoid using those computers for anything that includes a password. Alternatively, some places may even have cameras installed that keep an eye on what you are typing.

A simple rule of thumb when using a public terminal is to avoid accessing anything that you wouldn’t want to share with the world. This includes your email service (unless you set up a secondary email account for really unimportant things). Banking and credit card sites should always be avoided unless you are on your own computer, and you can be sure the site is secure (look for the little padlock and https:// in front of the web site address).

When you travel, always be sure to keep the security software on your computer up to date, and be sure to enabled password protection on your computer account. Add an extra level of protection with the “BIOS password” – refer to the user guide of your computer on how to enable this.