Most people don’t really realize the risk of leaving their wireless network wide open. I think they understand that it means that anyone can use their internet connection, but I don’t think they understand the issues beyond that. Honestly, here’s what an open wireless network allows a hacker to do:

1. One can sniff all of your information going out to the internet including credit card numbers, social security numbers, pictures, chats, everything.
2. One can browse through your files, email, etc. Let’s hope you don’t have any risqué pictures on your computer of yourself, because if you do, one can have them, too
3. One can take over your computer, your web cam, your mic. So, not only will one can see all of your communications, can also be able to listen to you and watch you when you’re not even ON the computer