A few things to keep in mind about some Free Wi-Fi high speed internet access locations.

• It is an open unsecured connection. Don't transmit any sensitive data or info. Use a VPN - virtual privte network - if you must do online banking or make a purchase online with a credit card while using an unsecure connection.
• The signal may not always be on or be strong.
• In fact, it may be from another location. Try to make sure you are accessing the right network signal for the location you're at (although that may not always be possible if you don't know the network name/SSID).
• Don't expect to get any support help from the staff. Some may not even know it exists.
• Don't expect to find many plugs. Make sure your battery is charged or bring a spare.
• Many locations will not allow outgoing e-mail to be sent. Use a web based e-mail account if you need to send e-mail while in a free location.
• It's Free!

Use Mapquest or Maps.com to find listing locations.

What does Free Wi-Fi really mean?

As the availability of Free Wi-Fi locations continues to spread I thought it might be good to review what Free might mean in different types of locations. The locations listed in the Free Wi-Fi HotSpot all offer some type of Free Wi-Fi access to the public, but sometimes there may be access requirements/restrictions that are unique to a particular type of location, and therefore the access, although free may not be available to everyone/anyone. While accessing the Free Wi-Fi in certain locations you will be spending money to pay for a Hotel room or space in a RV Resort or for coffee in a cafe, etc. so the following information should help to clarify what Free Wi-Fi really means in different locations.

Most of the locations listed will not have any restrictions, but there will be some locations that may restrict access in one of several ways - through a login procedure to users with a registered account - some require you to be a registered guest of their facility - some may require you to be a customer and that implies that you are making a purchase - and some may require a purchase to gain a password needed to login - and some may ask some survey questions as part of a login process.

Libraries

Many cities and towns are now offering Free Wi-Fi in their public libraries. Some might require a library card to use the access but in public libraries free really means free - no puchase required or expected. Many libraries have software that will restrict access to many "questionable" web sites.

Academic Locations

Many academic institutions that offer Free Wi-Fi on their campuses restrict the access to members of their academic community - students, staff, etc. - and require some kind of login procedure to control access, but, there are some that don't have any restrictions. So, in academic locations, it is free but maybe not free for all.

Hotels, Motels and Resorts

If these locations offer Free Wi-Fi in their guest rooms then you'd need to be a registered guest to use the access, thus, free may mean it's included in the price of the room. If these locations offer Free Wi-Fi in common areas of the location - lobby, pool area, restaurant, bar/lounge, meeting rooms - the use may be restricted to guests but they may make the access available to non-guests as well. assume that most Hotel type free Wi-Fi is meant for guests only, even in the common public areas, but you can alays try it at a listed location just in case it is not.

RV Parks and Campgrounds

Most locations of this type will require users to be registered guests of the location. Be sure to check whether the Free Wi-Fi access is available only in or near a "clubhouse" type of building or whether the access reaches the RV pads and campsite areas of the property.

Vacation Rental Properties

You must be the renter of the property to access the wireless high speed internet access provided by the property owner as an amenity.

Cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, miscellaneous, etc.

Some of these types of locations require a purchase to obtain a password while others have an explicit policy that requires you to be a customer and thus implies that you'll be making a purchase to get the free access. Some require you to ask for a password even without a purchase.

Most of these types of locations do not require a purchase to access the Free Wi-Fi. But, I'm sure it would certainly be appreciated. Let your conscience be your guide. The access here is free for all but if you choose to make a purchase while you're there I don't think this would mean that free is no longer free.

Free Wi-Fi signals carry

The nature of Wi-Fi means that sometimes a Free Wi-Fi signal can be picked up outside the property "boundary" of the provider. It may be more comfortable for you to be sitting on a bench across the street or in your car or RV and have Free Wi-Fi access thanks to a nearby provider you found listed in the Free Wi-Fi HotSpot. If you can figure out a way to say "thanks" that would be nice.

What do I need to use the Wireless Internet Access connection at a Free Wi-Fi HotSpot ?

You'll need a wireless/Wi-Fi enabled laptop or other device like the Palm Tungsten C handheld.("Wi-Fi" is a registered certification mark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. For more information about the Wi-Fi Alliance and its certification programs for 802.11-based products and services, please visit www.wi-fi.com) Most recently manufactured laptops are configured for wireless and most will come equipped with a wireless adapter card. Otherwise, you'll need to purchase an adapter card ($35-90).Most hotspots and Wi-Fi-FreeSpots are equipped with 802.11b access points although others may offer 802.11a or 802.11g access points or combinations of two or all three. When purchasing an adapter card for your laptop be sure to read the manufacturers specs for compatibility and interoperability information. More wireless access point and PC adapter card product information.

You can use a Wi-Fi signal sniffer like the WiFi Seeker to see if there are any signals nearby before using your laptop to connect.

What if I need Help connecting?

Most locations are striving to make the connection process as easy as possible. The goal is to automatically configure your laptop for connection. But, as you can imagine, with lots of different vendors selling access points and cards there could be specific configuration instructions you'll need to follow. By and large do not expect much help from the staff at the location. They are waiters, waitresses or baristas, not tech support people. Hopefully they will at least be able to supply you with an instructional guide but don't count on it. If you are using a hotspot that offers free access you won't find any toll free tech support number to call (that's one reason why they are able to offer the access for free). You'll probably be on your own so it would help to familiarize yourself with the instructions for your wireless card beforehand or bring them with you. Some hints that should work in most locations - 1) Be sure to set your TCP/IP properties to "Obtain and IP address automatically" (DHCP). 2) Make sure your computer is not configured to automatically use a dial-up connection. 3) If requested, choose Infrastructure mode rather than ad-hoc mode. 4) Use the SSID name provided by the location or try choosing "any". 5) Turn encryption (WEP) off. 6) Make sure your battery is fully charged. Most hotspots will not have many wall plugs available for use by customers.

What can I do at a Wi-Fi-FreeSpot?

The Wi-Fi wireless broadband connection allows you to do anything you'd do from home or the office. You can surf the Web, check your e-mail, connect to your Corporate network (be sure to use a secure VPN connection), make free Voice over IP phone calls, play online games, update your blog, and IM with your friends. If you just have a modem dial-up account at home you'll probably end up spending more time at the Wi-Fi-FreeSpot once you see how much faster it is. Who knows, maybe you'll give up your dial-up account and just use the Wi-Fi-FreeSpot when you want to go online.(Your ability to send e-mail from a Wi-Fi-FreeSpot is somewhat dependent on the policy of your local Internet Service Provider(ISP) that provides your home/office internet and e-mail access - some ISPs restrict the ability to send email when not connected to the Internet directly through them. If you have a problem ask the Wi-Fi-FreeSpot location owner for their SMTP server info, or consider a web based e-mail account for use at a Wi-Fi- FreeSpot.)

Is my data and e-mail secure at a Wi-Fi-FreeSpot?

You should never conduct unsecured transactions that include any account or password information over public hotspots using FTP, email, or the Web. Try to use SSL for email (POP and SMTP), or read your email with a Web browser using an SSL connection. Ask your ISP if they offer SSL secure web-based email.

Glenn Fleishman, author of the book The Wireless Networking Starter Kit, sums it up thusly, " When data leaves your computer, if it's not on an encrypted link, anyone can read everything you send and receive."

Here's what the Wi-Fi Alliance says:

Wireless networks in public areas and "HotSpots" like Internet cafes may not provide any security. Although some service providers do provide this with their custom software, many HotSpots leave all security turned off to make it easier to access and get on the network in the first place. If security is important to you the best way to achieve this when you are connecting back to your office is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). If you do not have access to a VPN and security is important, you may want to limit your wireless network use in these areas to non-critical e-mail and basic Internet surfing.

Most corporate IT departments are already skilled with VPN and can modify existing systems to support Wi-Fi networks. A VPN works through the VPN server at the company headquarters, creating an encryption scheme for data transferred to computers outside the corporate offices. The special VPN software on the remote computer or laptop uses the same encryption scheme, enabling the data to be safely transferred back and forth with no chance of interception. HotSpotVPN has a consumer product for public hotspot use.

Here's more info from the NewburyOpen.net security page:

Wireless transmissions, by their nature, can be intercepted very easily. Our wireless network was designed for ease of use, and thus is not encrypted or password protected. You have the responsibility to make sure that your data is kept secure and that you use secure protocols for any sensitive material. We take no responsibility for any information that is compromised by the use of our network. Also, make sure that your computer does not have file sharing active ( for Windows - click on network settings in the Control Panel, then find and uncheck file and print sharing). Other users on the network may be able to access your files if you do. Read the full document here.

In addition, it would be wise to use some kind of personal firewall to further protect against someone at the next table from accessing your files.

Additionally, Julian Bond of Ecademy.com suggests the use of SSL encryption for e-mail connections whenever possible.

Do I need to purchase goods or services before I can get free access in a Wi-Fi-FreeSpot?

A few locations might offer free access in exchange for a purchase but, by and large, it is not necessary but I'm sure it would be appreciated. If you are just on the premises for the Wi-Fi connection and don't intend to make a purchase you should consider limiting your stay to a reasonable time period. Also, be considerate, give up your seat if someone who has made a purchase needs one. Most Hotel/Motel/Resort locations restrict the free access to guests only, especially if the access is in guest rooms only. Some locations may also have free Wi-Fi access in common areas like lobbies, restaurants and meeting rooms and this may be available to non-guests as well. Some signals can even be picked up from the parking lot.

Do I need to be inside a Wi-Fi-FreeSpot to pick up the signal?

The wireless signal in most indoor locations has a limited range of approximately 100-300 feet. The placement of the access point and the structure and layout of the locations will impact access to the signal. In some locations the signal probably will be available outside the location as well. Using the Cantenna with your laptop might help to enhance the signal. Other low cost, do-it-yourself, wireless antenna info is available at the Do-It-Yourself Wireless Antenna Update site. Cities like Long Beach, California, Gainesville, Florida, Athens, Georgia, Indianapolis, Indiana and St. Louis, Missouri have set up large outdoor downtown Wi-Fi Zones or Clouds where the signal will have a greater range.

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