Quote:This is an example of ignorance and why people get "hacked".  I would NEVER advise anyone to go to a Starbucks, Barnes & Nobel, etc. to use their Wifi.  It doesn't matter if it's a laptop computer or a cell phone.  It's not a matter of IF someone intercepts your activity, it's just a matter of WHEN.

 

Most people that use these kinds of "hot spots" have been breached, but they don't have anything "interesting" for a hacker.  The "small time script kiddie" might steal your data if you're stupid enough to access your bank accounts.  Most of the time they just want the machine, and they will get it.

 

Later, if your machine is on the internet, they have more control than most people think.

 

Yea, I'll be fine.  You probably also think It's crazy that I think anti-virus software is pointless for personal use.  I know enough about computers and security to feel comfortable with how I use them.  I woudln't do banking or purches on a public wifi.  But your position is pretty absurd.  I've heard all kinds of rhetoric from security people that when they say something like "without disclosing too much information" I'm thinking yea you should probably disclose that information. Explain to me how it's "easy" for a script kiddie to freely breach your computer.  Explain to me how it would be "easy" to bypass all encryption and security mesures that the script kiddie would have to bypass to access your computer.  Othewise, what's the point.  

 

Now off to get some more of that fast starbucks wifi...

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