Wi-Fi Question:

★ Verify that your PC's software firewall is turned on, and that Window's file-sharing feature is off; it's off by default in Window's XP with Service Pack 2.
★ Never send bank passwords, credit card numbers, confidential e-mail, or other sensitive data unless you're sure you're on secure site: Look for the lock icon in the bottom-right corner of your browser, as well as a URL in the address bar that begins with https. Such sites build in their own encryption.
★ Always turn your Wi-Fi radio off when you're not at a hotspot: Hackers can use it to create peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connections with your computer and access it directly.
★ For better security, consider signing up for a paid subscription to a hotspot network such as Boingo or T-Mobile. Both companies provide connection software that encrypts your sessions automatically.