Coffee shops, hotel lobbies, co-working spaces, park benches: they’re all good places to get work done if you need a change of scenery.

But you’ve got to be careful if you’re going to connect to the public Wi-Fi in these places.

Take these seven steps, and you’ll be safer than most. In fact, you’ll be nearly as safe as you are when you’re working from home or your office.

1. Keep it current.

Make sure you’re updating your operating system and applications. Use the latest versions so you’re always getting the benefit of any updates and improvements. Security updates usually go to the top of the priority lists for vendors, so you’ll want to stay on top of the updates.

2. Password protect it.

Every kind of device now offers you the option of protecting it with a password. Protect your laptop, phone, and tablet. Lock them all down with a password that’s hard to guess, and have the device lock itself after a short period of inactivity.

3. Use a password manager.

Using a password manager enables you to use unique, complex passwords for everything. You don’t want to use the same password in two places. And you don’t want to use simple passwords. If you’re not using a password manager, then it’s hard to remember your unique passwords once you sign up for more than a handful of services. Personally, I like LastPass, but there are many good options on the market.

4. Use two-factor authentication.

More and more applications are building two-factor authentication into their products. Use it. Yep, it’s a hassle. It’s driving me crazy right now at WealthFront. But it’s essential. I use Authy to generate codes. I’ve now got about 15 applications set up with two-factor. It takes some getting used to, but you’ll be glad you did it when the next data breach affects an application you use.

5. Get encrypted.

It’s easier than ever to encrypt your devices. That way, if they do fall into the wrong hands, it’s difficult for the thief to access the storage. Phones, tablets, and laptops nearly all offer an easy way to encrypt the data stored on the device. Turn it on. The iPhone makes it incredibly easy. Most current devices are coming equipped with encryption technology.

6. Tether instead.

It’s tempting to connect via the free Wi-Fi. But your phone may offer an easier, better, safer connection. My T-Mobile account offers free tethering. Our Verizon accounts offer tethering at $10 per gigabyte. Check out what’s offered by your provider, and compare the cost of a data breach to the cost of the tethered connection. You’re likely to decide to tether once you realize how easy and inexpensive it is to connect via your phone. The phone connection eliminates nearly all of the risk you’ll encounter on public Wi-Fi.

7. Connect via VPN.

If you decide to connect to public Wi-Fi, then do it with a virtual private network (VPN). I use TunnelBear after having used a number of others. It’s easy, cheap, and reliable. With one click, you’ll encrypt everything you send over that dirty, nasty, public Wi-Fi and encrypt the crap out of it. It feels soooo good.

Be safe out there. The last thing you need is for some mean and nasty person to steal your credit card info while you’re ordering that cheese pizza online. It’s good to get out. It’s even better when you keep your data and your clients’ data safe.