What are the risks of connecting to a public wireless network?

          

Public wireless networks are convenient, but if they're not properly secured, connecting to one might be risky. Whenever possible, only connect to wireless networks that require a network security key or have some other form of security, such as a certificate. The information sent over such networks is encrypted, which can help protect your computer from unauthorized access. In the list of available wireless networks, each unsecured network is labeled. If you do connect to a network that's not secure, be aware that someone with the right tools can see everything that you do, including the websites you visit, the files you send and receive, and the user names and passwords you use. You should not send and receive documents or visit websites that contain personal information, such as your bank records, while you're connected to an unsecured network.