Savvy wireless hackers don’t even have to attack your computer to break into it through a wireless connection. They can just sit and wait for you to provide your information to them.  Most Wi-Fi freeloaders are just looking to surf an open Internet connection, but some may break in to read your hard drive, plant malicious soft ware, or commit criminal activity using your computer address. Worry less about going wireless by following a few basic security steps.

When you buy a router for wireless surfing at home, its security may not go on automatically. Make sure you enable the router’s security. Use a firewall, keep your soft ware and operating system updated and turn off file-sharing.

When surfing in a public place, like a cyber café, or an airport, don’t simply turn off your laptop and leave. Remember to click on the icon that disconnects your computer from the wireless network.

Avoid sending sensitive information when using a wireless network. If that’s not possible, make sure the Web site you are using supports a secure connection. A padlock symbol appears in Web browsers when you communicate with a secure Web site.

Your login information may be available to the public, unless you change it oft en. In a recent survey a researcher was able to uncover the default login and passwords for three of his neighbors with a simple Google search.

Is the security for your webmail turned on? Check with your webmail service provider to make sure it’s operating.

You should turn a laptop’s Wi-Fi function off when it’s not being used in order to avoid accidentally connecting to an non-secured network. Of course, no network is 100% secure. That’s the nature of wireless. But even if complete security is an unreachable goal, taking a few simple steps is far better than doing nothing at all.