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Free hotspots are public access points for wireless internet found in places like cafes, airports, and campuses. To connect, a device must support the same protocol as the network. Unencrypted hotspots can be intercepted, so avoid sensitive information. WiFi finders can locate hotspots and indicate encryption status.
A free hotspot is a public access point for wireless Internet. Common places you might find a free hotspot are Internet cafes, some municipalities, airports, hotels, and college campuses. To connect to a free hotspot all you need is a wireless-enabled computer or other WiFi® device, although the network must use a protocol supported by the personal computer or device.
Many wireless networks still use a protocol known as 802.11g, while others use the newer 802.11n standard. These two standards broadcast in different frequency bands, so both your router and network card must support the same standard to communicate. Routers might support only 802.11g, only 802.11n, or both standards.
Likewise, internal network adapters also come in different versions and may only support one of these two standards or both. A network card that supports both protocols will be able to connect to any free hotspot, and a router that supports both standards will be able to connect to any user.
Coffee shops that offer wireless access are incongruously known as wired coffee shops. In some cases WiFi access is not free and the network requires a password provided to the user at the time of payment. However, free hotspots usually don’t require credentials.
A wireless network that doesn’t require login credentials is almost certainly unencrypted. All data exchanged between locally connected computers and the router is broadcast for everyone in the area to “see”. If you must use a free hotspot to send or receive email, be aware that others within transmission range can intercept and read such transmissions with freely available tools. Avoid exchanging sensitive information in these situations.
It’s safe to bank online from a free hotspot or use a secure email service like HushMail®. Websites starting with https create a private connection between your browser and the site, encrypting all data between the two points. A local user can still intercept the transmission, but it will be unreadable.
There are many devices on the market known as “WiFi Finders” that will locate hotspots for you. These devices also act as external network adapters and are available for the ExpressCard or PC Card slot of laptop computers or, more commonly, as USB dongles. The small button will search for broadcasts in supported frequency bands and notify you of a hotspot by flashing LED signals. Some devices will indicate whether the hotspot is encrypted (requires credentials) or unencrypted. Another way to find free local access is to check websites dedicated to mapping free WiFi locations.
