What's good protection from Public-Wifi?

[Simon Phoenix]

I'm on public wifi at the airport and I got a message saying "another computer is nearby" click a button to connect. What is that?

I have pctools firewall and avast and I don't want anyone sneaking into my pc so how can I protect myself with public wifi?

[alex_s]

-{ Quote: "I'm on public wifi at the airport and I got a message saying "another computer is nearby" click a button to connect. What is that?

I have pctools firewall and avast and I don't want anyone sneaking into my pc so how can I protect myself with public wifi?" }-

I feel quite comfortable with Online Armor. Just setting WiFi interface to not trusted. This is enough that noone could connect you using netbios or any other tcp/ip way.

[mike113377]

I'd say that your 'computer is nearby' message, comes from the new Windows Vista feature, Windows Meeting Space. You can learn some more about it there ; http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/meetingspace.mspx

However, your question sounds interesting.
You can connect thru a VPN tunnel, when connecting to wi-fi hotspots but that doesn't seem to be the an easy task. There must be some recommended firewall to protect yourself on public wifi connections, which one, I have no idea, but I'd like to hear some opinions about it.

[Tadoussac]

Anchorfree offers a simple (and free) encrypted VPN solution which they claim is designed for use in public hotspots.
http://www.anchorfree.com The product is called Hotspot Shield.

I have used it when traveling with my laptop. It's very easy - but to be honest, I can not quantify how secure it actually is.

[alex_s]

-{ Quote: "Anchorfree offers a simple (and free) encrypted VPN solution which they claim is designed for use in public hotspots.
http://www.anchorfree.com The product is called Hotspot Shield.

I have used it when traveling with my laptop. It's very easy - but to be honest, I can not quantify how secure it actually is." }-
===
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===

Hm .. "Generate Ad Revenues!".

[Diver]

Its addware. The program creates sort of a VPN by using their server that also serves up adds. Seriously annoying.

[lordpake]

-{ Quote: "program creates sort of a VPN by using their server" }-
Thanks for the info. Came by this some weeks ago and was left wondering how their VPN actually worked.

[YeOldeStonecat]

VPN services such as Anchor Free are good to secure your traffic...while you're on open public wifi spots. But the OP has a local firewall point that he's addressing...not a traffic encryption issue. Setting Vista to "public network" will lock up his PC..or select a 3rd party software firewall.

[murlay]

is anyone here using Cyberghost VPN? and what's your experience using this service?

i was thinking about using one of these two. either Hotspot Shield or Cyberghost VPN.

here's the web http://www.cyberghostvpn.com/?language=en

Cyberghost seems to be a little 'professional' in appearance compared to Hotspot Shield. but still, it has a limited usage of 10GB per month for free user just like Hotspot Shield.

need your opinion guys! thanks a lot.