Wireless hotspots are everywhere and are changing the way people work. These wireless local area networks (LANs) provide high speed Internet connection in a variety of public locations and only require a mobile PC such as a laptop or notebook computer equipped with a wireless card.

In fact, hotspots are a convenient connection method for travelers to browse the Internet, check their e-mail, and even stop into their social networks while away from home.

You can find hotspots are everywhere, including:

• Hotels
• Airports
• Coffee shops
• Restaurants
• Libraries
• Bookstores

But they all have one thing in common, they are all open networks that are vulnerable to security breaches.

Say for instance, you’re using a wireless hotspot such as in an internet cafe, or even a wired connection in a hotel or somewhere else, remember, they are your ISP for that connection. That’s not to say that the coffee shop, hotel or their wireless provider is spying on you, but take care to make sure you trust the provider you are using. If you're at "Jim's Coffee House" and Jim’s friend just threw together a wireless access point on their DSL connection - yes, he could certainly be monitoring what you're up to if you're not careful.

But that's not really the biggest threat.

Anyone within wireless range of your laptop could be monitoring your internet usage.

The people we shouldn't trust are the other users within range of that wireless connection. Frighteningly, it's not all that hard for someone who's technically savvy. Anyone within wireless range of your laptop could be monitoring your internet usage.

Sound scary? It should.

So, here's what you need to do:

Make sure your firewall is activated

A firewall helps protect your mobile PC by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network. It acts as a barrier that checks all incoming information, and then either blocks the information or allows it to come through.

Free personal firewalls include Zone Alarm Free and Sygate Personal Firewall.

Regardless of which firewall you use, it is one layer of protection you should use.

Install and use antivirus software

Since the majority of public hotspots lack antivirus protection, there's the possibility that other users could unknowingly (or intentionally) unleash a virus on the wireless network. For this reason, you'll also want to have a good antivirus program running on your laptop any time you surf the Web from an open hotspot.

You should install a program on your laptop and leave it running at all times.

Take care when entering sensitive data on a Web site

When using a wireless hotspot, the only foolproof way to ensure that your sensitive data stays private is to avoid sending it into cyberspace altogether. If you must transfer funds using online banking or make a virtual purchase with your credit card, it’s best to wait until you're back on a network that you know is secure. This also applies to connecting to your favourite social networking site as well. Your username and password could become compromised, and your friends and colleagues could become the unknowingly targets of scams and phishing.

If an emergency arises and you absolutely must deal with private data at a public hotspot, make sure you're using a secure Web site. Secure sites begin in "https" (instead of "http") and generally display a lock icon in the lower-right corner of the browser window. While many financial institutions and e-commerce sites secure all aspects of the transactions, some sites only encrypt part of the exchange. For example, Web-based email services such as Hotmail and Gmail encrypt your password by logging you in from an https site; your inbox is available from a nonsecure site, meaning that others might be able to access your messages.

Disable file and printer sharing

File and printer sharing is a feature that enables other computers on a network to access resources on your computer. When you are using your mobile PC in a hotspot, it's best to disable file and printer sharing. When it's enabled, it leaves your computer vulnerable to hackers. If you share files or printers, remember to turn this feature back on when back at the office.

Encrypt your files

You can protect your files further by encrypting them, which requires a password to open or modify them. Because you must perform this procedure on one file at a time, consider password-protecting the files that you plan to use while working in a public place.

To encrypt files or folders, follow these easy instructions.

Look out for fraudulent hotspots

Another potential danger when using public wireless networks are so-called "evil twins," hotspots set up by hackers to collect personal information. A data thief may do this by setting up an open hotspot near a valid one or by simply configuring his or her laptop to transmit a wireless signal. When nearby users check the list of available connections, they'll also see the evil twin. If a user logs into this fraudulent access point, the hacker can track their Internet usage and emails and might be able to access private data such as passwords and credit card numbers.

The best way to avoid evil twins is to find an employee with the hotel or coffee shop that can verify the name of the legitimate connection. If your laptop is configured to automatically connect to the nearest or strongest signal, you might consider disabling this feature to avoid inadvertently logging in to fraudulent hotspot.

Using a public hotspot doesn't have to mean sacrificing security for convenience

The next time you connect to the wireless Web, remember to take the proper preventative measures, you’ll spend less time worrying about your private data and more time being productive.

The bottom line is, it's up to you to protect your data.