<p>In the past, I’ve taken my laptop to Barnes and Noble and set it up in the cafe to browse, surf and have a cuppa. I did so because I have pretty good virus protection installed on the laptop, and I’ve never had any problems. But, as far as I know, there’s nothing like Norton, or Avast, or any other software for virus protection available for Ipad. Someone correct me on this. Is it safe to go online (open wifi) at B&N with my ipad?</p>
<p>I would never do any sensitive internet apps over a public wi-fi connection, like banking, investment accounts, etc. I don’t worry too much about email and facebook, but I have heard that there are sniffers that can capture your facebook session info if you are on a public wi-fi connection. Don’t know about the facebook app, but when I use a browser to go to FB I always use a https:\ connection rather than just [Welcome</a> to Facebook - Log In, Sign Up or Learn More](<a href=“http://www.facebook.com%5DWelcome”>http://www.facebook.com). Don’t know how much good that does me, though.</p>
<p>Using an HTTPS (as opposed to an HTTP without the ‘S’) connection means that the session is encrypted between your laptop and the server on the other end (FB, Bank, gmail, etc.). This means that the data traffic is encrypted so a ‘sniffer’ wouldn’t be able to see any of your actual data.</p>
<p>As far as anti-virus and anti-malware on an iPad goes, I don’t think you’re much more exposed there than many other locations.</p>