Wi-Fi Hotspots ?

[shadytree]

Ok on my ongoing conquest to learn all that is wireless.

What's the pro's and con's of Hotspot usage?

Are they safe to use?

How do you get charged?

Can you use different ISP's?


actually any info on this subject would be much appreciated :)


Shady

[thunderstruck]

Some info here including payment options

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotspot_

[Psychobert]

Use them all the time; frequently the only time I get to read and post on PH these days is when having a coffee somewhere.

Yet to pay for one, tend to use my PDA which has some pretty good hotspot locator software loaded.. Think its pretty expensive to pay for on an hourly rate, but there are plenty of free sites if you know where to look.

Open sites are not secure, those you pay for are usually WEP/WPA encrypted. Reasonably safe, but I'm not an expert on these things..

[shadytree]

WPA Encryption?

How does one encrypt your Laptop, for use over hotspots ?

[r988]

shadytree said:

WPA Encryption? How does one encrypt your Laptop, for use over hotspots ?

Encryption will be enabled on the network, easy to crack if you know what your doing though, if you have sensitive data on your laptop dont use wifi.

There are a zillion guides freely available to the budding haker on the net, heres one I just yanked off a quick google search.
www.tomsnetworking.com/Sections-article118.php

Not to scare you or anything, just be aware it's not very secure.

[Plotloss]

Check you out, you've gone wireless mad.

Most charge, some dont.

Google for wifi hotspot map.

I'll go through it all with you on Sunday if you like (and if you are going to be there).

[shadytree]

Plotloss said:

Check you out, you've gone wireless mad. Most charge, some dont. Google for wifi hotspot map. I'll go through it all with you on Sunday if you like (and if you are going to be there).

cheers chaps.

I think if i have anything sensative or containing personal shit, i'll keep it off the Lappy.

sorry Plotty, can't make Sunday. Have no respectable wheels , but thanks for the offer.
Plus I've been told I have some DIY to do
more bodge jobs here we come