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• "There are two primary potential dangers with Wi-Fi," notes Fischer. "The first is using an unsecured network - as many public hotspots are. With a little know-how and the right tools, cybercriminals could easily eavesdrop on your online activity.
• "The second hazard is phony wireless networks that impersonate legitimate Wi-Fi hot spots. You think you're logged onto a trusted network, but instead a cybercriminal has hijacked your session and can see all the private information you access or input."
• When using public Wi-Fi networks, always follow these safety precautions:
• • Change default settings on your laptop, smartphone or tablet to require that you must manually select a particular Wi-Fi network, rather than automatically accepting the strongest available signal.
• • Avoid any network connections your device lists as "unsecured" (look for the "lock" icon). But if you must log on to a public network, avoid websites that require log-ins and passwords - e.g., bank accounts or email.
• • Ask for the exact name of the establishment's hot spot address - don't be fooled by lookalikes.
• • Only send personal data via Wi-Fi to encrypted websites (those whose addresses begin with "https" and display a lock icon). To be safe, you may want to avoid conducting financial transactions on public Wi-Fi altogether; instead, use your secure home network.
• • Consider using a third-party virtual private network (VPN) product to encrypt your Internet traffic.
• • Regularly update virus and spyware protection software, make sure firewalls are on, and load operating system updates as soon as they become available, whether for your computer or smartphone.
• • Turn off Wi-Fi on your device when it's not in use.
• • Never leave a computer unattended while signed-in and always sign out completely at the end of a session.
• • Keep an eye out for "shoulder surfers" who watch as you type in your password.
• • Finally, change passwords regularly and use different ones for each website you visit. Use a mixture of letters, numbers and symbols and avoid common words and phrases. Security experts recommend using at least 12 characters instead of the minimum eight characters commonly required.
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• Cybercrime is a booming business. According to the 2012 Norton Cybercrime Report, its global price tag topped $388 billion last year, more than the global black

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