When I purchase a laptop, if I find "hot spots", will I need my own server? Or can get on Internet free? C.S

Answer 1

You can enter open hot spots for free. But in most cases, hot spots are secured, and you would need permission to access by paying or by patronizing the offerings of the hot spot owner.

Answer 2

Go to the website of the computer laptop you intend to buy. Look up the model number and see if it has the built in wireless 801.11b or 801.11g or 801.11n. If any of that numbered type of wireless modem is built in you can connect without any other devices, and you don't need a server.

Free and Pay wireless hot spots that are safe to use usually have a range just inside the building they are in. Libraries have free access points inside. Some of the most recent versions of computer laptops wireless modems can get a signal outside. Some people could get a signal if the person had a special understanding of how to seek a weak signal using a booster antenna.

Learn about your firewall settings on you new laptop. Take a moment to read when cafe, restaurant, or roadside hot spots have routers that want to access your computer when you have logged on.

If your firewall is able to recognize traffic and give you alerts so you can tell it to "Allow, or Not allow access" to your computer, you want to tell it not to allow access at any of those areas. Be careful too. If you just setting up and find a strong signal make sure they are the company that is giving or selling time on the wireless system before connecting.

That is just in case one of them is a hidden router trying to gather information off your laptop computer. Some people have been setting up wireless routers near hot spots and naming them so they appear almost identical to the hot spots free account service or pay type. You connect to them by accident and you will be sending them information when you log on that can make it possible to steal your identity.

Once you have privileges to use the connections and surf the internet you are connected. No more Allow access requests that cause your laptop an alert requesting access to your computer are necessary and you click No on them every time they pop up or click Remember this decision and click No.

It may be the Router in the place legitimately checking for access because you are on its network too, but once you are signed and surfing you don't have to second guess it, just tell it No. Otherwise it could be from an unknown router that is still sifting through the wireless waves trying to gain access to your Laptop.

If it is the active line when you click No it will pop up again in awhile. If it is the active line and you lose your connection, wait a few minutes and it will pop up again then click yes.

Be careful you don't accidentally give someone other then the services you want to connect to permission to access your Laptop.

War driving is another trick all together and unless you want to risk giving up more information from one of those connections then you want the owner to know, you better learn all you can about securing your Laptop security system.

Answer 3

In Texas there are wireless hot spots at most of the rest areas which you can just hit and use if you are in the area.

You can also sit outside of many motels and piggy-back off their wireless if they do not have it secure.

Starbucks have wireless access, as do other "internet cafe" type places. They are designed to keep you there to buy their products. Businesses use these kinds of perks a lot.

I travel for work, and find the wireless hot spots to be a great asset over the broadband card that I have stuck in my PCMCIA slot.

My wireless router in my home is not secure, I don't care if the neighbors piggy back off of it because I don't leave my computer on all the time, and watch for hackers, but as many others have said, a secure connection is a good idea. Keeps baddies out of your network.

Good question.

Answer 4

It depends on the "hot spot" Some places like Panera Bread and BW3 offer free wireless internet access, while McDonalds reuires you to pay a subscription service.

You do not need a server...your wireless card will just connect into a wireless router or access point owned by the establishment you are visiting,

Answer 5

You can get free hot spots at advertised places. You don't need a server or a wireless router unless you want access at home and there is none nearby. You can use the service at the coffeeshops, etc., but coffee gets pricey and often it's best to get your own connection at home for privacy, etc.. Your laptop (of course) has to have a WiFi receiver in order to wirelessly connect to the Information Super Highway!

Answer 6

You won't need your own server. You'll need a wifi capable laptop... either built in or add on.

You may be able to surf for free if you've got a no-charge hotspot or you may have to buy airtime from the provider.

In the UK some hotels provide an open wifi... no money required to use it... some don't. Most public wifi sites require you to buy airtime... by the hour or longer, or subscription. For instance McDonalds provide wifi that you have to buy time on as do British Rail stations i've used.

Answer 7

Yes its free because these places have this agreement thing you press too con hear too there policies.

Its like when I was trying too get on the Internet using the PSP you can only get on if there is no security but then those places have other types of security.

Just look for places like a hotel or coffee shops you can get on usally easy.

Answer 8

If you want to be secure, you need your own internet connection. An unsecured hotspot is an invitation to data theft and infiltration.

Answer 9

umm for little while u should be able to get on free but after awhile ull have to pay for it thats how my sisters is she has to pay for her internet now and yea ull need ur own server.

Answer 10

Just depends.

Sometimes neighbors leave it open, sometimes they don't. You might be able to work out something with a neighbor.

Usually restaurants and bars are free.