unsecure networks...how much can be seen?

[joko]

i sometimes use unsecured networks when i have connection problems...but i wondered if it was safe to go onto my banks site, or buy something online while logged in this way?

but this is just from local businesses or houses in a small road, not a hotspot in town centre or net cafe etc

thanks

[squarebear]

No do NOT access your bank details or put passwords/credit cards into an unsecured network. To do so would be stupid in the extreme.

[ChuckFickens]

what he said^

[jake-the-peg]

If your bank account was hacked and the bank found out that you'd done this I think they will hold you liable for the loss

[tezestwing]

you must be jokoing

[joko]

no not joking. funninly enough i do have a brain and i am aware it is opening my computer up to hackers - i just wondered how likely this is, given my location...i mean could your average computer user do it - or must you be a proper hacker to get into it?

is it the action of inputting personal details that they can hack into - would my password be ''broadcast'' or whatver - or can they just find everything thats there anyway regardless of what i actually do while im on my computer....
im just curious really as to just how risky it is - i have no intention of using it to go in my bank, as i have braodband at home

[ChuckFickens]

how risky is it?

how long is a piece of string?

If you were using a genuine wireless hotspot then there is not much more risk than using your wireless at home.

The problem is that you have no way of knowing if the hotspot you are using is genuine or not. you may be sitting in the pub somewhere and they advertise they have a wireless hotspot, great you think i'll check my bank account. Now if you connected to the pubs hotspot this probably wouldn't be a problem, but you do not know if you are connecting to the pubs proper hotspot, you may be connecting directly to another customers laptop that they have setup to look like a hotspot, once you have done that then anything you use over the internet can be plainly viewed by the person that is spoofing the hotspot.