Mobile Work: What Is a Wi-Fi Hotspot?

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.

Your wireless-equipped laptop or another device, such as a tablet or smartphone, may notify you when it is in the range of wireless networks. If you don't see an information prompt that there are available wireless networks in the area, go to your network settings to find area hotspots. You can find them in many places. For example:

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

Connecting to a hotspot to use its internet connection usually starts with a web page that identifies the hotspot and lists the terms of use. If the Wi-Fi hotspot network is encrypted or hidden, you need to 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, you enter it and agree to the usage terms, which usually require you to be a decent, law-abiding internet citizen. You then accept or initiate the connection to the hotspot's wireless network, which is usually identified in the network name. 

The problem with using public hotspots is just that: they are open to the public. You could be sharing a connection with just about anyone at any time. A hotspot isn't your home or office password-protected Wi-Fi router. Nefarious hackers can hack a public hotspot much easier than a private access point. You can, though, take certain precautions before you sign on to your first hotspot:

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. Examples include:

On an iPhone, click Settings > Wi-Fi and move the slider next to Ask to Join Networks to the On position.

Many Android devices have a setting under Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi > Advanced that can be disabled.

On Macintosh computers, go to System Preferences > Network and click the box next to Ask to join new networks.

Suppose you are driving down a long stretch of empty highway with no coffee shop, bookstore, or airport in sight, and you desperately need to get on the internet. If you've prepared for this moment, you know that some laptops and smartphones can be set up to act as mobile Wi-Fi hotspots. Pull over the car, connect to the internet using the cellular signal on your smartphone, and then share that connection with your laptop.

With most cellular providers, you need to set up the mobile hotspot capability ahead of time and pay a monthly fee for the service. 

Using a mobile hotspot drains your phone battery much faster than usual, and your data limit could take a big hit, too. Depending on the cellular network — 3G, 4G, or LTE — the speed of the connection may not be as fast as you are used to (with any except LTE), but when it's the only internet connection available, it may be worth it to you.

If you don't want to drain your smartphone, you can buy a stand-alone device dedicated to a life of providing mobile hotspots. These devices also require cellular connections and contracts. 

Of course, your device has to be able to access a cell signal. If there is no cell coverage, you are out of luck. Keep driving. You'll hit a Starbucks soon.