In Pictures: Computing advice that can stand the test of time

Just because computers are one big exercise in evolutionary progress, that doesn't mean certain computing maxims ever go out of style.

Shun 'Free Public Wi-Fi'

The 'Free Public Wi-Fi' network you might see listed on your Windows laptop when you're in various public places is the result of an old Windows XP bug that causes the OS to set up an ad hoc data-sharing network for connected PCs if it can't connect to a trusted wireless network automatically.

Connecting to this type of device-to-device ad hoc network rarely poses any immediate danger, but it won't get you onto the Web, either. And malicious users could spy on the connection and steal valuable information from you.

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