hacking an ipad at public WiFi location

The only ways someone can get your information from a public wifi is...

You type your information Into a form on an unsecured web site. Banks are using encrypted secured web site. So there no problems with banks. If you see a S in front of the http in a web address the site is secured.

If you have an unsecured non encrypted email provider someone can intercept the email. Gmail is secured and encrypted. So there's no problem using Gmail with a public wifi system.

Best bet is to never type important information into anything on the web when you use a free wifi connection. You may ask, "Can they hack into my iPad when using a free wifi connection?" The answer is NO.

I have zero technical capability but my feeling is that if hackers can get into secure encrypted govt websites than they likely can get into my equipment.

Therefore I only surf and do non sensitive email while on public networks and in fact will always opt for 3G over WiFi even when a public WiFi network is available. I would never enter an important password while on an unsecured network even if it was a SSL site.

It may be simple uneducated paranoia but it makes me more comfortable.

Let me add that I am not totally comfortable with 3G but figure the hackers are after the avg WiFi user. If NSA is after my info I figure they will get it.

Message was edited by: pkincy

A hacker that can get into a government web site could care less into getting into your iPad. But, like I said it is best not to use a free wifi connection to send important info over. It more on the part of the carelessness of the person on a free wifi connection than it is for a hacker receiving the info. 128 bit encryption can't be cracked by the average Joe... If at all.

Anyone know if AOL is secured and encrypted?