Spring and summer are peak travel seasons, whether you’re heading to the beach for a weekend or hitting the road to catch up with friends. While you may not have access to your secure home Wi-Fi while you’re away, that doesn’t mean you have to go without internet. With a bit of planning, you can find free and reliable Wi-Fi—safely.
Start by knowing the right places to check. Public networks are common, but they can also come with risks.
A hotspot is a place or device that provides wireless internet access. Any Wi-Fi-enabled device can connect to a hotspot, provided it has the necessary access. There are two main types of hotspots: mobile and public.
Mobile hotspots use your smartphone to share internet access with other devices like laptops or tablets. Many phone plans include this feature, allowing your phone to function as a private hotspot.
Public hotspots are usually offered by businesses like cafes, malls, or airports to provide free internet access to customers and visitors. These hotspots are convenient, but users should be cautious about security when using public Wi-Fi.
You can find free or public Wi-Fi hotspots in many places
You usually can’t get a hotspot at home unless you make one using your smartphone, or you live very close to someone with an open network. But there are many places to find free Wi-Fi, like coffee shops, parks, libraries, hotels, museums, restaurants, gyms, and more. Some buses and trains also offer free Wi-Fi.
Before heading out in search of free internet, consider using helpful apps like Instabridge (available on Android and iOS), WiFi Map (Android and iOS), WiFi Around (iOS), Wiman (Android), and WeFi (Android). These apps provide maps or lists of nearby free Wi-Fi hotspots, often including important details such as login requirements and user reviews. They can save your time and help you find reliable connections when you’re on the go.
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Some places, like libraries or college campuses, usually have free Wi-Fi, but if you’re not using an app, it’s a good idea to call ahead to check. Also, your internet provider may offer access to their own hotspots.
How to find and connect to free Wi-Fi
Make sure your device can use Wi-Fi. If it can, turn on Wi-Fi.
When you get to the place with free Wi-Fi, open a web browser. Then open your device’s Wi-Fi settings or click the Wi-Fi icon. Find and select the public Wi-Fi network you want to use.
If it’s a public network, you will connect, but a webpage may open asking you to agree to rules or enter your email before you can use the internet.
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Some businesses have secure Wi-Fi that needs a login and password. If the network says “secured,” look for the login info in the store or ask someone for help.
Tips when using public Wi-Fi:
Don’t check your bank accounts or use personal info on public Wi-Fi that isn’t secure. Even some secure networks can be risky, so be careful if you need to access these accounts.
Never leave your laptop, tablet, or phone alone in public. A secure Wi-Fi won’t stop someone from stealing your device or looking at your screen.
Avoid shopping online on public Wi-Fi. Buying things needs personal info like bank details and passwords, so it’s safer to shop only on secure networks.
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Is public Wi-Fi not secure?
Since it is easy for anyone to access the internet using public Wi-Fi, especially without any verification, it comes with numerous risks. Along with genuine users, public Wi-Fi can be the playground for hackers as they can access it without any authentication. This means hackers on the network can get access to your device, meaning they can collect critical information and use it to their advantage. They can obtain login IDs, passwords, bank account info, and even login credentials to several websites including social media platforms. This put users at the risk of identity theft, where the hacker could use their credentials to access websites. In some instances, hackers can also unleash malware (a software designed to harm the device) onto your smartphone.
(This article has been curated by Disha Gupta, who is an intern with the Indian Express)