Wlan without encryption?

If i connect to a wireless network which doesn't have encryption, what should i care for? I know it's dangerous to make use of visa and paypal, but what else? Should i log in on forums?

Can they have access to my computer and take data?

I choose the option to turn off network discovery, what else should i do?

Private Browsing with Firefox, is a good solution? Or better to login with proxy?

 

Private browsing with Firefox doesn't do anything on an unencrypted connection. A proxy is a better solution, but only if it's an SSL or otherwise encrypted proxy. You might also have access to a VPN.

An unencrypted wifi will not allow people access to your computer, only to see what data you're sending over the network. If you have an SSL connection to a server, that will be encrypted, rendering the connection useless. Just don't EVER go around the warnings for a "bad site certificate" if you're on unencrypted wifi. If the cert checks out and it's a reputable site, it's actually fairly safe to use credit cards and such over unencrypted wifi.

The best way to protect yourself is to learn how the system works, at least at a high level https vs http, and so on.

 

I won't make any use of credit card, but i want to know if it's safe to login in forums. Can someone took my password?

 

If the connection to the website is unprotected (not a https one) and you just type in an address or use e-mail all information is transferred via unprotected network and can be picked up by anyone with the right software.
I tested a sniffer on my own network- you don't even have to search for some of the login information among other packets- i.e. POP3 and SMPT use their own ports so if you say launch an Outlook and it automatically checks all your e-mail accounts (provided it's not SSL) your login credentials and passwords for all accounts are plainly visible on packet sniffing software.
So it's all down to what Pitabred wrote- it's gotta be an SSL protected proxy or VPN.

 

I don't know how to make use of VPN.

 

It's extremely unlikely someone will harvest your data, as most open wifi is run by people who barely know how to use it themselves.

Never use personal accounts such as banking, online shopping, or email on untrusted networks. Gmail uses SSL to protect your username and password, so you should be safe (check the certificate just to be completely sure). Personally, I'm fine with logging onto non-personal accounts like notebookreview on open wifi. If someone hijacks this username, no biggie.

There's an easy to use VPN client called Hotspot Shield, which protects your traffic against nearby snoops, but you will then have to trust AnchorFree (they reserve the ability to sell your data to advertisers).

 

It's not the people running the network, it's the people hanging out and gathering the data.