[Z-man]

If you have a wireless router at home, and it is not protected using WEP encryption or other type of passcode driven protection, (IE: it's an unsecured wireless connectin), then it doesn't take much for someone to attach to your network.

Once in, it wouldn't be hard for that person to log into your router. Most folks who don't secure their wireless router will also not change the admin password for the router. (User: Admin, Password: password is often the default). Once in the router, there are some basic functions that can be setup, like sending a log of all activity from the router to an email account. While this may not get the guy any passwords to your accounts, it will definately show him where you are surfing off to. (ex: Citibank, Bank of America, your mortgage company, Pelican Parts...etc).

If you have your own portable wifi hotspot, I am sure that the same thing can occur on your portable setup -- thus it is very important to have some level of security on your wireless access -- even if it is minimal. Hackers will follow the least path of resistence -- so if they find an unsecured wireless connection vs. your protected one, then you are safer.

Note: you can also cloak your whole network which would prevent your wireless router from even being seen by others.
-Z-man.