According to hotspot directory service, JiWire, there are now 116,070 hotspots (as of June 20) in 128 countries. So why can it be so hard to find access?

If you’re willing to do some planning ahead of time, there are a number of online directories for hotspots including:

• AnchorFree.com - Search their free Wi-Fi directory or download it to your iPod
• Wi-Fi-FreeSpot.com - Find free public hotspots
• ilovefreeWiFi.com - Find free public hotspots via your cell phone. Just text them your location and they’ll reply with the 6 closest hotspots
• Wi-FiHotSpotList.com - An online directory of hotspots by address or zip
• JiWire.com - A Wi-Fi search engine

Keeping Your Computer Secure
Having access to the internet is great - but not when it opens your computer up to outside attacks. Here are some quick tips to keep your data private.

• Watch Out For Strangers - It’s common sense, but when typing passwords, make sure no one is looking over your shoulder.
• Enable Your Firewall - Make sure you have a firewall on your computer to prevent incoming attacks. Norton, McAfee, and Zonelabs all have good firewall programs.
• Protect The Data You Send - Firewalls are great for protecting your computer, but they don’t do much for people waiting to intercept the data you send over the network. If you have a peer-to-peer mode set up, turn it off. Also consider only checking your email through sites protected by Secure Socket Layers (SSL) - both Google and Yahoo have such security in place.
• Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) - If you want to connect to your office computer, make sure your IT department has set up a VPN so you can connect securely. HowStuffWorks.com has a great overview of what a VPN is and how it can protect your data.
• Buy Security Protection If you can’t set up a VPN, try software like JiWire SpotLock (available via Download.com). The service is $4.95/month.