Encrypting on public networks (VPN/SSH)

[Fwertz]

Hey fellas, I need some help and clarification here. I know average to above average about networking. However, I do have a question about VPN/SSH. When I'm away from home, I often connect the public networks. Now, I don't really need to connect to any other networks with sensitive data, but I do want to encrypt the packets and information that I send out to deter sniffing and possible ARP poisoning. Can VPN/SSH do just this? Am I way off? How would I go about setting it up. I do have something called Hamachi (created by Logmein), is that a step in the right direction? Thanks for clearing up any confusion!

 

[Fwertz]

Disregard this, I'm reposting in a more appropriate forum. Sorry for the idiocy.