What security should i use when using Hotel Wifi?

[imported_GLO]

what security measures should i set up so i dont get hacked whilst im surfing on the hotel's net connection?

Thanks

 

[RebateMonger]

There are two issues with a public WiFi connection:

1) If the hotel's WiFi connection is not encrypted (WEP, WPA, WPA2, etc.), then your only alternative is to use your own encryption. This means not sending any sensitive data unless your link or your data is encrypted. SSL-encrypted web sites, VPNs, and Windows Remote Desktop all encrypt their data. Non-SSL web sites and most email servers don't encrypt their tranmssions.

2) Since you are on a network with other, unknown, computers, you need to have a firewall running on your PC. Windows XP SP2 has an option to close all the "standard" openings in its built-in firewall. Or, you can use 3rd-party firewalls.

As always, run active anti-virus and anti-spyware software on your PC, keep your OS and your applications fully patched, and use long, hard to guess, passwords.

 

[L3thurn3k]

Another thing you can do is create a user on your machine that is exactly that... a user. This way they do not have any rights to do anything. Log in as that user when you are connected to the hotel network. Most spyware, malware, trojans, etc. are built and function under the impression that the user is an administrator. Take away those rights and you are better off.

There are a couple free firewalls you can use... comodo and zone alarms are as good as any... here is a link to Comodo