Tiger Tips: 4 Tips for Public Hot Spots
When traveling city-to-city and town-to-town, we see signs promoting Wi-Fi access, sometime for free. Everywhere you look, someone has a laptop or other Internet capable Wi-Fi device and they’re surfing the net. But how do they gain access to the Wi-Fi network? We’ll give you a few tips on public Wi-Fi hotspots – how to find them and connect to them.
Many laptops, cell phones, portable music players and other devices have Wi-Fi built into them. But what is Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) - Wi-Fi is the brand of technology of wireless local area networks based on the 802.11 specification. Wi-Fi was developed for use with mobile computing devices, and is also used in wireless internet and VoIP phone access.
The logo from the Wi-Fi Alliance that certifies network devices comply with the IEEE 802.11 wireless Ethernet standard. In the early 2000s, Wi-Fi/802.11 became widely used, and within a short time, all laptops and other handheld devices came with Wi-Fi built in. Earlier laptops could be Wi-Fi enabled by plugging in a Wi-Fi PC Card.
Now that we understand what Wi-Fi is, how can you use it when your in the airport, coffee shop, or even McDonalds?
1. XP Sniffer
If you are running Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista, you can use the operating system to search for Wi-Fi networks. Most of the time, this will work and if the network is not password protected, Windows will guide you through the connection process. In some locations, you may need a password to connect to the network.
2. Make sure you’re using 802.11g
If you need to purchase a Wi-Fi card for your laptop or wireless device, make sure it works on the 802.11g network. The “g†network is the most widely used and secure version of Wi-Fi. It will also connect with the “b†network, an older and slower network. “If you are just getting a card, you should go for ‘g’,” says Biju Nair, a vice president of wireless products at PCTEL, a wireless communications company based in Chicago. Using a ‘g’ card will allow you to take advantage of speeds up to 54Mbps.
3. Learn the Warchalk
No, it’s not a declaration for war. Wi-Fi enthusiasts mark areas where Wi-Fi hotspots are available and free. Most warchalk markings contain four components: a password at the top, a Web site on the left, the protocol on the right, and the connection speed on the bottom. Knowing what numbers and letters mean will allow you to connect to the Wi-Fi network and get you surfing in no time at all.
4. Wi-Fi Security
Before you connect to that wireless network, don’t forget about your security. Once you connect, your laptop or Wi-Fi device is open for the browsing. Install a Firewall on your laptop or device and make sure you anti-virus program is up-to-date and activated.
Wireless networks are popping up everywhere and many are for public use. If you find that you can’t connect to a Wi-Fi network, there are two probable reasons why. One or both of these problems can sink your Wi-Fi connection. The first is that your equipment may not be compatible to the Wi-Fi network. The second is that it may be a secure network and you need the password to access it. Don’t fret if you can’t connect, there’s probably another network just around the corner that is willing, able and ready for you to connect to.
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