Is a wireless connection secure? Can I make credit card purchases, etc?

Wireless connections themselves are not very secure. Even if we used the standard method for encrypting, it has several security problems.


However, if you use a secure web site (the little lock in the lower right corner of your browser appears), the data will be encrypted between that web server and your browser, adding a suitable degree of protection. Most web-based email has this capability.


Here's a summary of SSL, which is what your browser uses in secure connections.