If you're using online tax-prep software to file your returns, I want you to be sure you don't do it over a public WiFi connection. Coffee shops and libraries are considerations for many as a place to file your tax return, but you need to be aware of the security dangers that exist when doing so.

It's very easy for crooks to set up what looks like a hotspot that has a name similar to the WiFi of the establishment you are at. But in reality, your signal is being intercepted and those same criminals gather your usernames and passwords and other sensitive information. (This can even happen when you see that image of a lock in the lower right-hand portion of your screen that you think means it's a secure connection.) Even if you do log on to the legitimate WiFi signal of your public library, school, or coffee shop, there are still major potential issues with those networks being unsecured. An unsecured network gives hackers and identity thieves easy access to lots of your personal information.

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