What are wifi hotspot devices

What Is a Wi-Fi Hotspot?

Former Lifewire writer Melanie Uy has 5+ years’ experience writing about consumer-oriented technology and is an expert telecommuter.

Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years’ experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.

In This Article

Wireless hotspots are wireless access points, typically in public locations, that provide internet access to mobile devices such as your laptop or smartphone when you are away from the office or your home. Typical Wi-Fi hotspot venues include cafes, libraries, airports, and hotels. Hotspots make it possible for you to get online wherever you go, but they come with some security concerns.

How to Find a Hotspot

Your wireless-equipped laptop and other devices, such as tablets and smartphones, may notify you when you’re in range of wireless networks. If you don’t receive a notification that there are available wireless networks in the area, go to the network settings to find area hotspots.

You’ll find hotspots in many places. For example:

• When you walk into a Starbucks or one of the many other coffee shops, your smartphone notifies you of the presence of a Wi-Fi hotspot. Each store has a home screen for its hotspot. After you accept the terms of the hotspot agreement, you’re connected.
• Restaurants that offer a hotspot post the information on a table tent card or at the entrance. You may need to ask for the password to sign on to the service.
• When you stay in a hotel, ask the desk clerk for the Wi-Fi password or sign-in process. The service may be complimentary, or you may be charged a daily fee for its use.
• Most airports offer free hotspots and display the login procedure throughout the terminals. Shopping malls also offer hotspots and may post login information around the mall.
• Many bookstores have hotspots for their customers.
• Libraries and other public buildings often have Wi-Fi hotspots.

A quick internet search for hotspots in [your city] (or in a city you are about to visit) will turn up a list of locations where you can access the internet. Although many are free, some hotspots require a fee or subscription.

Connect to a Hotspot

When you connect to a hotspot to use the internet, your web browser displays a web page that identifies the hotspot and lists the terms of use. If the Wi-Fi hotspot network is encrypted or hidden, get the security key and the network name (SSID) information from the hotspot service provider to locate and properly establish the network connection.

When a password is required, enter it and agree to the usage terms, which usually require you to be a decent, law-abiding internet citizen. Then, accept or initiate the connection to the hotspot’s wireless network, which is identified in the network name.

Take Security Precautions When Using a Hotspot

The problem with using public hotspots is that they are open to the public. You could be sharing a connection with anyone at any time. A hotspot isn’t your home or office password-protected Wi-Fi router. Hackers can hack a public hotspot easier than a private access point.

Here are some precautions you can take before you sign on to a hotspot:

• Understand how your laptop or mobile device shares files and tighten the privileges. Mac laptops, for example, use AirDrop. Depending on your settings, a hacker could send a file to your Mac over AirDrop without your knowledge.
• Turn off file sharing for public access folders on your laptop and other devices.
• Install anti-virus protection for your Android phone, iPad, or any other device you use with a public hotspot. Also, activate the firewall on your device to prevent the transmission of malware from an infected device that is also connected to the hotspot.
• Install a VPN on your device. A virtual private network encrypts all your web traffic, so even if you are hacked, your data is impossible to read.
• Turn off automatic connections to nearby networks.

Turn Off Automatic Network Connections

Some laptops and mobile devices automatically connect to a hotspot when it is in range, but this is a bad idea for security reasons, particularly when the hotspot isn’t password protected. In most cases, you can use a menu setting to prevent this. The location varies by device.

On an iPhone, click Settings > Wi-Fi and turn on the Ask to Join Networks toggle switch.

Many Android devices have a network notification setting under Settings > Network & internet > Internet > Network preferences that can be disabled.

On Macintosh computers, go to System Preferences > Network and select the Ask to join new networks checkbox.

About Mobile Hotspots

When you’re in a location that doesn’t have a hotspot and you need to be online, your smartphone may be able to act as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. If your smartphone has this capability, connect to the internet using the cellular signal on your phone, then share that connection with your laptop.

Most cellular providers require that the mobile hotspot capability be set up ahead of time and charge a monthly fee for the service.

Using a mobile hotspot drains a phone battery much faster than usual, and the hotspot may use a significant portion of your data limit. Depending on the cellular network, the speed of the connection may not be as fast as your home connection, but when it’s the only internet connection available, it may be worth it.

If you don’t want to drain your smartphone battery, buy a stand-alone device that provides mobile hotspots. These devices require cellular connections and contracts. Also, the device must be able to access a cellular signal. If there is no cell coverage, look for a hotspot at a coffee shop or shopping mall.

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WiFi Hotspot What is it, how does it work and what is this device for?

All those users who are familiar with wireless communications have probably heard at least once about the Hotspot or your name in Spanish «hotspot». The interesting thing about them is that they offer Internet access through a router and a wireless network.

As usual, can be found in public spaces where there is high traffic of people like in restaurants, libraries, hotels, among others. Thanks to them, customers can stay connected to the Internet for a price determined by the service provider.

Despite being very common today, little is known about their performance or benefits. Therefore, we will talk to you about what is WiFi Hotspot, what it is for, how it works and many other details.

What is a Hotspot or «Hot Spot» device and what are they for?

As we mentioned before, a hotspot or hot spot is a device capable of providing people with an Internet connection. Is it so designed to meet the high demand for Internet connection that occurs in public and crowded places.

In this way, all those places that have access to broadband Internet that wish to help their clients by facilitating a wireless access to browse, they can opt for a hotspot. In summary, serve to offer WiFi connection to people in spaces where there is high user traffic.

Did you know that you can use your mobile as a Hotspot?

Mobile is a type of portable hotspot, because it is a device that moves to different spaces. The settings for this feature are basically the same on all smartphones. You just have to enter Settings / Wireless Connections. Once inside, you have to activate the option “Portable zone” or “Portable WiFi zone”. You can also find it with the name of «Share internet» or «WiFi Sharing».

When you are able to enter, you can modify the name and password that appear by default. Thus, all those users who want to connect to your network can identify which one is.

Finally, you should know that the possibility of sharing the connection can also be via USB, WiFi access point or even by Bluetooth.

How does a Hotspot device work to have Internet everywhere?

The most common operation of this equipment is through the use of a wireless network and a router, connected to an Internet service provider. However, in the market Two types of Hotspot can be obtained, those of free WiFi and those of portable WiFi:

• Gratuitous: those of free use are usually linked to a serviceIn other words, you have to be staying in a hotel, be a customer in a local, among others, in order to have Internet connection availability. To enjoy this type, in general, the customer must consume or use a specific service offered by the place where they are.
• Laptop: Another very common way is by transmitting data from a device that has the Internet, and then shares it with others who request it. The clearest example of this type is when data is shared from your mobile to a tablet, laptop and others.

Consequently, the hotspots are in areas where high traffic demand occurs and their coverage is conditioned to cover said demand through the use of one or several access points. Thus, the user can stay connected to the Internet in public places such as schools, cafes, etc.

What are the main advantages of using a Hotspot device?

If you are still not 100% convinced of the great advantages that the use of this device can bring, We mention them below:

• It offers the possibility of limit the time a user connects to the Internet, the speed it will use, among other settings.
• Limited access by PINs.
• Connectivity with faster and safer.
• It allows filter content, so that users do not have access to websites that could harm your company’s WiFi network.
• possibility of separate the nets in order to obtain greater privacy online. This means that you can configure one network for clients and a different one for the members of the company.
• Provide maximum security, because it is possible to choose the best WiFi encryption method for your company (WPA, WPA2, WEP…).

How fast is the Internet from Hotspot devices?

The speed of the Hotspot devices is conditioned by the Internet plan you have. Therefore, if you want to assess how fast is the speed you have from your Hotspot devices, it is best to use a speed test.

Thanks to it, you can know exactly the bandwidth you use. In case you still don’t have the speed you want, you can always choose to increase your data plan. You just have to contact the service provider.

What are the main alternatives to «Hot Spots» to have a portable Internet?

There are also other alternatives that can work very well for you to have a portable Internet. They are less known than the hotspot, but they do their job correctly. We explain what each one consists of:

Tethering

Can be understood by Tethering to the action of share internet connectivity between devices. Usually the connection is made from a computer or device, through another with network capacity. It is possible to do it with a wireless LAN, through a physical cable connection or with Bluetooth.

Skewerusb

It is also known by the name of Mobile bandwidth or BAM. With this technology, it is possible to have mobile Internet service with broadband anywhere, as long as coverage reaches the device. It has different speeds, which depend on the operator that offers the service.

Wifi Away

It is a device specially designed to have the Internet anywhere you need it. Is a WiFi 4G which gives access to the network in almost all areas of the Spanish territory. The package is accompanied by the WiFi router, a SIM card to connect to the network and a charger. Must be hired during certain periods of time.

JoikuSpot

It is an application that allows mobiles Nokia used as a HotSpot or WiFi router to share the Internet to other computers. It is designed only for Nokia brand smartphones and has security settings tailored to customer needs.

MiFi

It is a device similar to WiFi Away, because it also acts as a wireless router able to function as a hotspot. This equipment has the possibility of connecting to a mobile network and offering Internet connection to a maximum of 10 devices simultaneously.

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