Basic Security when using public hotspots?

When using public hotspots:

1. Is it real simple for someone to be able to read emails that I send
and receive?

2. Is it real simple for someone to be able to read text I type into
forms on web pages?

3. How likely is it for someone to gain access (go through files or
delete them) to my computer while I am connected to the wireless
connection?

4. Does surfing wirelessly with a mac computer make it more difficult
for someone to do any of these things?

Thanks!!!!

(E-Mail Removed) hath wroth:

>When using public hotspots:
>
>1. Is it real simple for someone to be able to read emails that I send
>and receive?

Yes. If the hot spot wireless is not encrypted, there are a variety
of capture and decoder tools that can be used to re-assemble email
messages. Look into TLS security on your email client for security.

>2. Is it real simple for someone to be able to read text I type into
>forms on web pages?

Yes, if the form is un-encrypted HTML. If the form is encrypted with
SSL (https), then it's far more difficult.

>3. How likely is it for someone to gain access (go through files or
>delete them) to my computer while I am connected to the wireless
>connection?

Unlikely. Most wireless hot spots have "AP isolation" or "client
isolation", which prevents one client from connecting or attacking
another wireless client. There's no guarantee that this feature is
enabled.

Laptops also have the ability to connect directly to another laptop
using ad-hoc networking instead of going through the hot spot access
point in infrastructure mode. It is possible for an attacker to
directly connect to your laptop via ad-hoc mode.

>4. Does surfing wirelessly with a mac computer make it more difficult
>for someone to do any of these things?

Generally yes. Apple seems to take security more seriously than
Microsoft. However, that doesn't prevent users from setting up their
laptops in an insecure way. Open shares are open shares whether on a
Mac or PC.

Here's a tolerable article on the topic:
<http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1277504,00.asp>

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558