Wi-Fi Hotspots: Guide to Secure Connections

There are several ways to find and use a Wi-Fi hotspot. Public spots like cafes and libraries offer free hotspots, or you can get access to one through your phone or computer with your internet provider.

How can you find free Wi-Fi hotspots?

Finding free Wi-Fi hotspots is easy with a Wi-Fi finder app like Wefi or WiFi Space on Google Play or the WiFi Around and WiFi Map on the App Store.

Cafes, hotels, libraries, parks and other public areas will often have an open and free Wi-Fi network. Hotspot maps are available online as well.

You can also ask your provider for a free hotspot map so you know which places to visit in your area.

What are hotspots?

A hotspot is a place where you can access the internet, whether it’s public or private, in your home or outside. It’s basically a bridge between your device and an internet network.

Some hotspots are free, but some may require a subscription service with your internet provider.

Find free Wi-Fi at fast-food restaurants and stores

You can check your phone for available Wi-Fi networks. Public places like cafes or restaurants may have a password posted in the establishment or have an open network.

Places that offer free internet access include:

Panera
Wendy’s
Target
KFC
Best Buy
McDonald’s
Subway
Starbucks
Taco Bell

Ask your provider if it has a public Wi-Fi hotspot

Many mobile phones have a built-in hotspot under phone tethering. You can add a hotspot to your current phone plan in most cases, for an additional monthly fee.

Providers with mobile hotspots include Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. Prices range from $5 to $75/mo., depending on your data needs.

Check availability

Or call us today: (844) 451-2720 (844) 451-2720

Use an app to search for free Wi-Fi hotspots

There are apps that help find Wi-Fi hotspots. They use crowdsourced data to build hotspot maps. The apps also provide the name, security, channel, brand and signal strength of the hotspots.

Popular apps include:

Wiman
Wiffinity
Wefi
WiFi Space
AutoWiFi Lite
FoxFi Key

Buy a mobile hotspot device for faster speeds and better service

You can also purchase a mobile hotspot to use as you travel or work from different locations. Speeds run between 30 and 70 Mbps for 4G phones, and 5G phones may be able to reach speeds of 1,000+ Mbps.

Buying a hotspot device can run from $20 to support 3G and 4G connections up to $200 for 5G speeds up to 1 gig and multiple connections.

How to connect to open Wi-Fi in public: Step-by-step guide

Find your device’s Wi-Fi settings
A list of open networks will be under Wi-Fi settings, they will not have a padlock icon so you should be able to join them
Logging in or an agreement form may be required

Stay safe while using a free Wi-Fi hotspot

Use a VPN
Turn off file sharing
Use two-factor authentication
Turn off auto-connect
Don’t open sensitive apps like your banking app
Use antivirus software
Enable your firewall

Wi-Fi hotspot FAQs

How do Wi-Fi hotspots work?

Wi-Fi hotspots work as a bridge between your device and an available internet connection. You can find them in your device’s Wi-Fi list.

How do I turn my phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot?

Most newer phones have a phone tethering option that allows you to connect another device like a laptop to it, and it will use your phone’s internet connection.

How do I connect to a hotspot?

Scroll through your device’s Wi-Fi settings tab to find the available hotspot you want to connect to.

Are all hotspots free?

No, not all hotspots are free. Some are provided for customers of coffee shops or hotels. They are often slower than a pay-as-you-go or hourly network offered by internet cafes or businesses.

Written by:

Robin Layton

Senior Editor, Broadband Content

Robin Layton is a Senior Editor for the broadband marketplace Allconnect. She built her internet industry expertise writing and editing on the site since January 2020, as well as on Allconnect’s sister site MYMO… Read more

Edited by:

Anine Sus

Editor I

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