[TYPO3] Web host security

[jbaker]

My web host has the fantastico tools available... When I install typo3 
(currently of 4.04) and do a permissions check on the typo3 folder 
everything is set to 777 -

I've also done a manual install of typo3 4.1, but the only way I could 
get it to complete is to chmod -R 777 on the folder...

All of the folders are under public_html, My question is: Is this 
secure, or should I do something different...

Thanks for any advice...

Jerry