Proper precautions when using public Wi-Fi?

[boozie]

So I always get really nervous when I'm at a hotel and I hook my laptop up for internet use. I use Avast! and have it running, but I am fairly certain I need to be much more cautious than that.

What should I be doing to make sure it is safe for me to log into sites like my bank account etc. while on the road?

 

[Ernie99]

Avast isn't going to protect you from a man in the middle attack. Maybe I am paranoid, but I do not do anything other than general internet browsing while on public WiFi. I will not use anything that requires a username/password.

 

[boozie]

Avast isn't going to protect you from a man in the middle attack.

That's why I'm asking what my options are to protect myself other than not doing it (if any exist)

 

[Chiefcrowe]

If you can, use a VPN program while you log into secure sites.

 

[ussfletcher]

Imo the risk of someone doing something malicious on any particular public network is low enough as to not worry too much. As the number of people that actually do that is very low, you are probably more likely to just have your laptop stolen. However if you are concerned you would be best off using a vpn.

 

[Slugbait]

Imo the risk of someone doing something malicious on any particular public network is low enough as to not worry too much.

Real life is considerably different. Let's start with OP's question and narrow down the threats to hotels: http://www.privatewifi.com/hotel-wifi-hacking-is-on-the-rise/

Tips:
- Engage your firewall. Consider using Comodo.
- Turn off File Sharing.
- Physically type HTTPS:// at the beginning of the URL to sign into the secure version of the website...if the S ever disappears during your session, stop what you are doing immediately and disconnect.
- Do not use your email client unless you're sure the provider supports SSL, and be sure SSL is enabled in your client.
- If you are going to use Facebook or Twitter, probably safest to just not use Firefox.
- Not actively using the public wi-fi? Turn off your wi-fi...if they don't see you, they can't hit you