tablet - wi-fi - security

[AC Question]

I am looking at purchasing an Android tablet (my experience is Windows PC). I do understand that the Wi-Fi at my coffee shop is not secure (no password). If I set a password on the tablet, that protects the data that I myself enter or download?, but can someone still control the tablet? I am trying to understand what the pitfalls of using that Wi-Fi would be.

If at home, if I enter passwords for Email, websites, etc., is there a 'keep me logged in' option, so that when I am at the coffee shop, I just go to those sites, and do not need to enter in a password again? When logged in, can the hacker take control of what is done at that site? Are the passwords to email, websites, etc., stored somewhere on the tablet (where..is there anything like a windows explorer in Android), and can they be gotten to by the hackers?

If the answers that I seek are lengthily, is this documented any in detail, that I can be pointed to?

 

[Tim1954]

http://forums.androidcentral.com/android-security-talk/476621-public-wifi-security.html
Have a peek there

 

[AlphaTango414]

I use a VPN called ProtectedIO and have been for about 2-3 years now with no issues. There are many more vpn apps out here on the Google play store. Both free and paid apps.