When I connect wireless it is over an unsecure network in my neighborhood. I cant crack secure ones because my wireless card is intel based, and no tools either *nix or windows support it... Is there any way to secure my packets on an unsecure network? I know I can go into the ap and put a wep encryption, but that would throw a red flag for sure lol. How bad is it to connect over an unsecure network? what vulnerabilities are there and how can I still use an unsecure ap without being attacked?

I will install anti-spyware/adware today, and take a look at those tools.
is there anything else?