Public Wi-Fi is available in most hotels and coffee shops. You can also find it at airports and truck stops. It is even accessible on some airplanes. This seems like a good thing for the tech-savvy traveler.

You can get your email and catch your favorite TV shows. Or you can run your business outside the office. The possibilities are endless.

Unfortunately, public Wi-Fi isn't the safest way to connect to the Internet. At home, your wireless network helps keep hackers out. (You did lock down your wireless network, didn't you?) With public Wi-Fi, that line of defense is gone.

You are on a shared network with a bunch of strangers. And many computers aren't set up properly. Hackers can waltz right in and steal information. Here are some tips to keep your information safe.

1. Use security software
This should be a no-brainer, but apparently it isn't. I get email messages every week from people who don't have basic security software. And they wonder why their computers are acting up!

Networking gear often has security tools like firewalls. You should never rely on any network gear to protect you. Every computer needs its own security programs.