By "open" I mean the router does not require a password to connect.

link|improve this question

feedback

2 Answers

up vote 9 down vote accepted

No. There is no encryption (to the router) unless WEP or WPA is in place.

link|improve this answer
feedback

It really depends. If you are browsing a website that is using SSL/TLS like Facebook or Gmail (if enabled) then your communication stream is still encrypted. However, there is no facility to encrypt traffic between your machine and the WiFi router unless WEP or WPA are enabled. Additionally even with WEP or WPA turned on, once the traffic leaves the router and enters the wider Internet - unless the stream itself is encrypted - WEP and WPA no longer protect that data.

link|improve this answer
feedback

Your Answer

 
or
required, but never shown

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.