I'm new at this (an old dog learning new tricks) and need some advice from those who know stuff. I've just bought a Toshiba laptop w/ wireless card so that I can use public wireless networks/hotspots in hotels and libraries when I travel. But I'm worried about security on my computer because from what I read public networks don't have any. Is my firewall and anti-virus program enough, or will I be wide open to eavesdropping/interception and whatever? What are my security options and what do I need to do?

Words from the wiser would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Hello Janeeg,
We use to say a good computer user advised is not a potential virus victim anymore.
There is no reason to believe you could have any problem as long as you are well protected.
Today you need at least a minimum of three programs to control and check for your personal security system:
1) a good anti-virus program bought in order to get permanent updates in the virus database, there is almost two updates by weeks actually.
2) a good firewall to keep stealthed from all internet users, and protect your computer against any attempts to hijack your system. I use personnally Sygate Firewall this program is really performant and exempt of any bugs in windows.
3) to check if your computer is harassed with cookies spywares and others spaming pop-ups, I use this wonderful freeware program called SpywareBlaster 2.61 this program prevent around 1170 spywares signatures to even come into your computer, update it as soon as installed to get the most recents signatures.
And to end, to download as well this top one program known all over the net to erase cookies spywares AdAware 6.0/181
update as well when installed.
With all that you are already 80% save in internet.
If you have any doubt about a possible trojan horse, you can download for a check Trojan Remover 6.16
this program is a 30 days trial freeware, but fully updated and ready to be used, you will have confirmation nothing is asleep in your hard drive......read well the "helpme" file of this program to use correctly the two scans of the program....
Good computing......