Vertigo: If you are using someone else's wireless router, you obviously can not make it secure at the wireless router level. Things like WEP etc won't work, because you can not change the router's settings. You could in theory use Bhole Babaji 's hacking advice and comandeer the router and set it up with WEP etc, but I think it's a dumb idea, because (1) the suggested password may or may not work, (2) you are essentially breaking into somebody else's property and (3) it will make the router unsable by the righful owner and they are bound to investigate and undo your changes. At the end they may endup setting up router security such that you lose your free connection! If I were you, I would not lose sleep about wireless security, though I would take other precautions. The reason is that security of wireless signals using WEP etc is only one of many layers of security. This layer of security works above other layers of security such as secured connections to web sites. So, as long as you are careful that whenever you are sending or receiving sensitive data (bank info, credict card info etc), you are using a secure website (look for "https" instead of "http", and a lock incon at the bottom of your browser), even if somebody has the motivation, the means and the time to intercept your wireless signal, they still end up with encrypted/secured data they can not readily read. If you don't have security at wireless level, the only real risk is that when you are communicating with UNSECURED web sites/servers (sending emails, chatting) the data is unencrypted, so somebody can theoritically catch your wireless signal and read the info. Unless you have an ex-girl friend with advanced technical knowledge and a real hatred of you and is out to read your email and harass you, you should not worry. Bottom line is, even without wireless security, when you use secured web sites, you have a good layer of protection. I would stop worrying and enjoy the free connection as long as it lasts.