wifi security

[JEO]

goodmoring everyone, I would like to ask,many time i hear talking that  all information passing in the unsecured wireless connection, can be seen  by everyone,may someone explain me how is that possible, and how he reach to read either the e-mail i am sending?so what is the role of the key ?thanks

[Geek-9pm]

Email is not read by others when a secure system is used.

[Rob Pomeroy]

The wireless key enables access to the wireless network.  All others on the same wireless network by definition have the key.  Therefore, they can theoretically listen to all other traffic on the same network using Wireshark, for example.  On a public wireless network (at a cafe maybe) you should assume that this is happening all the time.  Therefore when transmitting email over a public wireless network, you should make sure your email program is sending it using an encrypted communication channel (i.e. not straight, unencrypted SMTP over port 25).