Wireless hotspots explained - and where to find them

Wireless hotspots are convenient venues that offer wireless Internet access, allowing people with laptops or compatible phones and PDAs to access the Internet from the comfort of a café lounge or a hotel lobby. But where are these marvellous access points, and should you worry about security with public wireless networks? Broadband Buddy explains.

Finding wireless hotspots

Wireless can be found in a myriad of places, including:

• airport
• cafés
• hotels
• universities
• McDonalds

While many cafés have free wireless Internet to attract customers and hotels provide a free service for their guests, many hotspots will require you to pay to use the service. Telstra Bigpond is one of the main providers of paid hotspots, and it has a number of different systems of payment - for instance you can link it up to your credit card, Telstra mobile phone plan or phone card. Do note, however, that if a network is available on a paid basis it can be expensive (20c/minute in some cases). There are a number of online directories that will locate wi-fi hotspots and allow searches of free and paid hotspots.

Free wireless hotspots in NSW

The New South Wales Federal Government in late 2006 unveiled plans to provide wireless access in a number of areas including the Sydney CBD and North Sydney and selected areas of Parramatta, Liverpool, Newcastle, Wollongong, and Gosford. The project attracted contrasting responses from the main telecommunications providers. While some hailed the move as an opportunity for substantial business growth, concerns were raised that the proposal would not be cost effective, considering its scale. However, the public Wi-Fi network has indeed expanded and in addition to blossoming (albeit limited) free public Internet access, certainly in Metro areas, companies such as McDonalds have made free wireless Internet standard.

Hotspot wireless Internet security

Most security precautions taken with wireless hotspots are to prevent unauthorised use or exploitation of the network. The biggest problem with hotspots is that if the wireless access point is unsecured, it’s possible (though improbable) that hackers could get your security information (user names and password details for instance). Before using hotspots, you should switch your firewall to its highest setting (if it isn’t already), however you should be aware that even firewalls offer only minimal security against serious threats. If you use hotspots regularly, it’s probably worth paying for a third party Virtual Private Network (VPN). It may set you back a monthly or annual fee, but if you access sensitive information regularly, it’s definitely a case of ensuring that you’re safe, rather than sorry.