All about hotspots: the do's and do not's

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In recent years, Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed in a wide variety of locations throughout the UK from MacDonald's restaurants to intercity trains. You can even get connected on the beach - maybe not such a hot spot in every sense of the word - but you may wish to browse the Net on your Wi-Fi enabled laptop to check the weather report for any signs of improvement.

So for the uninitiated, here is a quick guide on how to get connected whilst on the move as well as tips on how to use a hotspot without compromising security.

How to find a hotspot

There are websites which will locate public hotspots. Before you set off, type 'Wi-Fi Hotspots' into your search engine to locate one of these directories or visit www.myhotspots.co.uk. If you are already out and about, many branches of Starbucks, MacDonald's and Costa Coffee have hotspots, so look out for signs on restaurants and cafés. Wi-Fi zones are also becoming more available at train stations, airport lounges, libraries and hotels.

How much does it cost?

Some Wi-Fi hotspots are provided free of charge, whilst other public wireless network providers charge a fee. If this is the case, you will either need to pay the owner of the establishment directly or in the case where you are connecting through hotspots enabled by major providers such as BT, you will probably have to buy a voucher for a fixed period of time. Unlimited packages typically range from £10 to £25 per month.

What about security?

Hotspots are less secure because they tend not to use encryption such as WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) or WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), something which would complicate the log-in process. So there are several precautions you should take to protect yourself online when connecting through a Wi-Fi hotspot:

• Use a firewall - activate your Windows firewall (Windows XP post SP2, Vista or Windows 7 machines have one built in) or install a free one if you don't have one pre-installed.
• Avoid accessing sites that concern your online banking, investments, or private activities when you are using Wi-Fi in a public location. Thieves can easily access data sent back and forward from your computer through the internet.
• Turn off your Wi-Fi when you're not using it. Do not log into a network you do not know and leave your machine idle. Most devices have a disable switch or you can right click on the Wi-Fi icon on your task bar and choose disable.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Be careful when typing information you do not wish to share with others such as passwords and personal information.
• If you have to use a credit card or enter passwords on a public Wi-Fi connection – make sure the website is using SSL. It will have a padlock icon on your browsers right hand corner as well as an HTTPS:// in the URL address.
• Be certain that the Wi-Fi you are accessing is the legitimate one for that spot. Cybercriminals have been known to set up hotspots with similar names to the authenticate providers in order to steal information.
• Use secure email. When accessing your email, contact your ISP for their secure address. This should begin with "https://" - not merely "http://" - and ensure this remains in your browser address bar throughout your entire email session.
• Delete your cookies (cookies make it easier to log in to frequently visited sites by remembering usernames and passwords) before you access a hotspot because, if you connect to sites using public Wi-Fi, sniffers can obtain this cookie information.
• Turn off the ad-hoc Networking. This should already be disabled with most default Windows XP and Vista installations, but you should check anyway. Ad-hoc networking allows two computers to communicate directly with one another, without an access point between, which is obviously not a good idea to allow in public. Be certain you are using infrastructure mode, which requires an access point.
• Do not allow your device to connect automatically. After you have connected to a wireless connection once, your laptop may configure your network to automatically reconnect when you are in range again. Check in the properties of each connection to ensure automatic connection is disabled. It may take longer to connect each time but you will retain greater control.
• Disable printer and file sharing. If you are used to sharing printing and files at work or home, be sure to disable this feature in public.

How to connect?

Turn on your laptop's Wi-Fi and search for a hotspot by clicking on your network icon near the clock on the Windows taskbar and select Connect to a Network (Vista) or View Available Wireless Networks (Windows XP).

Which network to choose?

Choose the right Wi-Fi network from the list (refer to our security tip no.6). If you are connecting via BT, T-Mobile or The Cloud services the name of the network should be standard (BTOPenzone, tmobile and either mycloud or WiFi Zone). Double-click to connect.

Problems?

If you can't see the connection, try setting it up manually.

In Vista, click Set up a Connection or Network > Manually Connect to a Wireless Network. Type in the name of the network (e.g. tmobile) > No Authentication (Open) (next to Security Type) > Next. In XP, click Change Advanced Settings > Wireless Networks > Add. Again, type in the network name > Open (next to network Authentication) > OK.

If you can see the network but can't connect.

In XP, click the Start button > Control Panel > Network Connections or in Vista Control Panel > View Network Status and Tasks > Manage Network Connections. Right-click on the icon for your wireless device and select Properties. Click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IP v4) > Properties. Ensure both Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS Server automatically are ticked > OK.

How do I get onto the Internet?

Once you are connected, you will need to enter your login details. How this is done will depend on the hotspot or provider. You may need to enter a username or password into your web browser, which may have been provided by the proprietor of the hotspot. If the service is chargeable, you will be asked to make a payment. Enter the details when prompted.

Using the Internet

Now you should be able to start browsing the Internet, remember that it is highly recommended avoiding certain tasks such as online banking when using a public hotspot (refer to security tips).

Feel you need more security?

There are a couple of options allowing you to connect more securely to the Internet whilst away from the office. One is to purchase a wireless access card, so you do not need to use a public Wi-Fi. Another solution is to use a VPN Tunnel. For more information, contact your account manager.

When you have finished

If you are paying for a Wi-Fi subscription or have purchased a voucher, always ensure that you log off when you're finished.