wifi security vs wired security

A few years ago i asked a question about someone hacking onto my computer when i was using a public computer at a library and i was told that the hacker-person would have to sit very close to me (within 10-20 feet) in order to get onto my public library computer. That public library computer was using a "wired" connection.

So i started to use my laptop and noticed that the individual whom was getting onto the public wired computer starting sitting next to me (within 10-15 feet) and was trying to hack onto my computer again, though i was using wifi, NOT a wired connection.

question: if i am using a public library and using my own, new laptop - would the hacker have to sit physically close to me in order to get on my computer, regardless of whether i was using a library "wired" connection or a library "wifi/wireless" connection?

question 2: would it make a difference if were using wired or wireless for my own computer at the library? as a sidenote, i know that this same individual hacked onto my computer when i was using a bookstore wifi, though i was sitting in my car at the time; they were also sitting in their car at the time, but were not within 20 feet; maybe 40-50 feet.


thanks - p