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Tech Tip 99 - Tips for Accessing the Internet Away From Home & Wireless Hotspots |
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By Chris Capelle |
Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006 |
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Actually, there are two different “connecting from the road” options: One is to use the network that somebody else provides (for example, a library or a neighbor) called WiFi hotspots (define). The second is to subscribe to a service (typically a cell phone provider) that allows access to the Internet from pretty much anywhere, and doesn’t depend on WiFi hotspots, which have limited range and may or may not be secure.
Surf From Anywhere
Pros:
Cons:
Because there’s a monthly fee, and often a contract is required, this isn’t ideal for the casual user. Unless connectivity is required 24/7 as it is for “road warriors”, this type of plan is generally not worth the money it costs.
Connect Using a WiFi Hotspot
This scenario has two different flavors: Free, and pay-to-surf. Free hotspots are offered as a convenience or perk (some hotels and airports), or proof that tax dollars are hard at work (public libraries). The pay-to-surf plans are common at certain hotels, bookstore chains and coffee shops. In both instances, no additional hardware is required, and all it takes to access the Internet is a few tweaks to your wireless network settings. Connecting wirelessly in hotels, libraries and airports is pretty simple: power on, find the network, connect, and you’re got it made. For the most part, they’re seamless, usually don’t require passwords, and allow users to log on without difficulty. But, the downside is that these networks are probably not secure. (More on that later.) Hot Tip #1: To surf wirelessly without getting an upset stomach, configure the computer’s TCP/IP settings to “obtain an IP address automatically.” Nearly every public hotspot is configured this way. Makes sense actually, because it requires very little time and effort, both by the provider and by the end user.
How to Find Hotspots
Hot Tip #2: It’s good policy to use caution when working with confidential or sensitive data.
Some locations (Grand Central Station in Manhattan, certain bookstore and coffee chains) offer a “pay to surf” plan. These plans are usually provided by a brand name cell service (although this is still WiFi, and should not be confused with the proprietary access methods mentioned earlier), and are only recommended if plans include spending a lot of time using these hotspots, or a generous expense account is available. When using this type of service, don’t be alarmed to find that the homepage has been hijacked and a screen appears asking for a user name and password (for existing subscribers), or to sign up for an account (new subscribers). The good news is that these big-name providers offer a secure network, so there is less worry about having data compromised. Plans such as these usually involve a monthly fee with a contract (least expensive), a month-to-month plan with no contract (more expensive), or an à la carte plan (most expensive). The best idea is to not sign the contract until deciding how much time is really needed to get work done in their network. T-Mobile Hotspot is a very popular services offering a variety of plans to choose from. Boingo Wireless also offers several service plans based on where and how often you access WiFi hot spots.
SummaryWiFi networks are here to stay and will continue to improve and make our lives easier and more mobile. From libraries to coffee shops, the Internet is our friend keeping us connected and allowing us to communicate with family and friends or do business as if we were at home.
Geeks Humor
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Whether traveling for business or pleasure, having Internet connectivity and email while on the road is becoming a vital way of life for many people. Hotels, airports, libraries, train stations and of course, the ubiquitous coffee houses all offer 
To use the “surf from anywhere-type” service, a specialized 
The most common and economical solution for the non-power user is to connect using a WiFi hotspot. 
Unlike Europe, hotspots in America are not necessarily advertised and some homework may need to be done ahead of time. Before venturing out, do a search by entering “
Exactly how secure is that public wireless network? The answer is none of the above. With public WiFi, encryption might be there. (It might not be, either.) Networks are only as secure as their owners want them to be, so if you have classified data, then using public hotspots isn’t the way to go. Avoid entering passwords or transmitting personal data (such as credit card numbers) when using a public WiFi. Batten down the hatches by enabling your computer’s firewall, and by making sure your 
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