safe secure WIFI in Amsterdam

To my knowledge there is no "city-wide" WiFi network in Amsterdam. You'll have rely on WiFi from your hotel or other establishments like McDonalds/Starbucks. Anytime you are on a website that starts with "https" it's encrypted, other sites not so much. Also, the new city library has about three hundred terminals to surf the web free of charge. The also have WiFi but you have to sign-up for it.

It is possible to use a service that sets up what is a connection over insecure wifi with what is called a "virtual private network" (a "VPN"). The idea is that the VPN piggy-backs on the insecure wifi and makes an encrypted connection, an encrypted "tunnel." When you sign on to your bank's web page using the HTTPS (or SSL or TLS) connection, you are essentially setting up a VPN between you and the bank (more or less). With a VPN setup, however, the only thing encrypted is what was going over wifi. Once it gets to your VPN provider, the information is sent over the Internet, just as if you were sending it by a wired connection. I have used a number of different VPN providers. Some are easier to set up and use than others. Currently, I use VPNinja. I don't remember the cost, but it isn't a lot. Some email accounts set up an encrypted connection by default, just like the connection with your bank. Gmail, for example, does that now. The general advice would be to never send anything over an unencrypted wifi connection that you wouldn't want anyone else to see.

Thank You all for being as helpful as you all are with my question about WIFI!

I want to second the importance of using VPN when traveling, whether you connect via WiFi or Ethernet in a hotel. (Yes, wired hotel networks can be vulnerable if there is someone connected to the network who is interested in grabbing your data.) Using a personalVPN service transforms any WiFi/wired hotspot into a secure hotspot. I have reviewed between 5 and 10 "personal VPN" services and around five years ago I went with Witopia. (www.witopia.net). It has a number of annual packages including one that protects devices such as iPads/iPhones, Androids, etc.. My combo package that protects my Macs and iPhone/iPad costs me around $5/month. The software installation is easy and Witopia's tech support is top-notch. On Macs you access the VPN via an icon in the Finder Menu Bar at the top of the desktop. A drop-down menu shows a list of around thirty VPN servers, including 256 bit and 443 bit ultra high-security options. Witopia has servers around the world, including Amsterdam. Being able to access a VPN server in a non-U.S. location can be advantageous at times. VPN is also handy at home when using WiFi hotspots. Some services offer plans that can be purchased for a month at a time. PublicVPN (http://publicvpn.com/rates.php) costs $6.95 for a month. I used it before I switched to Witopia and it was fine. It's been a few years since I used it, but there is a free WiFi hotspot at the cafe inside The Waag in Amsterdam. You can sit inside or outside and have a drink or a meal, or hang out on the square and access the Internet.

VPNs are definitively the best bet for safety as it concerns things like using a bank account. I use Overplay VPN. They have VPN links for many countries. More than network safety, I'm concerned about computer safety. I NEVER access a bank account through a computer other than mine, and if possible I avoid them altogether for any use that involves me entering a password. That is because of keyloggers, malicious programs/viruses that can record anything you type.

It used to be that we had to worry about our laptops being stolen while traveling. Now, we can get ripped off while simply using a computer in public. It is amazing how few people understand how exposed they are to hackers while using public Wi-Fi. In fact, most airport hotspots are not even real. Starbucks, etc., are no safer. Anyone with the Firesheep program loaded on their laptop can invade your computer and steal important info. I am glad to see that above posts suggest using a VPN for encrypted protection. I use a service called Cocoon. In addition to VPN safety, I also get a bunch of other privacy features. It was easy to set up and it is a free service! There are some great tutorials on the website that explain how everything works. Check it out at GetCocoon.com. They are now close to releasing versions for tablets and smartphones.

Wow what a coincidence.....Ken is from Santa Barbara, CA and getcocoon just happens to be based in Santa Barbara, CA. It's a small world after all:)

Cocoon only works with the Firefox browser, according to getcocoon.com.