News19,135 Articles

February 16, 2008

How to connect to a wireless hotspot

Access the mobile internet easily and in safety

Jason Whittaker

The dawn of mobile computing as we know it can be traced back to Intel’s decision to add a wireless radio to its low-cost Centrino chip. As Wi-Fi-capable laptops took off, wireless broadband gradually became available in cities, towns and even remote locations. But for several years, getting online while away from your office or home was a tricky business.

After tracking down an internet cafe and enduring an interminable wait for your turn, you’d face a nerve-wracking ordeal. Perched on an uncomfortable metal stool and with your rucksack clasped firmly between your ankles, you’d discreetly try to shield your login details, all the while keeping an eye out for the dodgy-looking teen unashamedly appraising the contents of your bag.

Inevitably, your allocated 15 minutes would be spent trying to log in, scrabbling around for more change to prolong your session and being stared out by the next customer.

These days, getting online on the move is a more dignified experience. We can take our own laptops with us and log on quickly and easily to a wireless-enabled hotspot that allows us to establish a secure connection with our work email server.

Here's how:

1. When you switch on your wireless laptop in a hotspot area, it should automatically detect any local Wi-Fi networks (if it doesn’t, we show how to troubleshoot in steps 4 to 6, below). The wireless icon in your toolbar will display a small pop-up window. Click ‘Connect to a network’.

Step 1

Step 1

2. The dialog box that appears should display a list of networks that are available in your area, along with information about security and the signal strength. If it isn’t displaying any Wi-Fi networks, check that the drop-down list at the top is set to All. Select one of the networks and click Connect.

Step 2

Step 2

3. If the network isn’t protected, you should be able to start browsing the web and using email immediately. However, if security is enabled on the account you’ll have to enter a username and password. Once you’ve entered these details, your internet browser should connect immediately.

Step 3

Step 3

See also:

How to fine-tune your wireless network settings

How to locate a secure wireless hotspot

Continued...
1 | 2 | NEXT >

<<newer story | back to index | older story>>

Comments received


David Robinson said on Monday, 18 February 2008

Not everybody has Vista How about explaining to us old fashioned non-techies who are using XP and probably won't be changing in the foreseeable future

What is this?

Subscribe to PC Advisor now and claim your FREE gift

Keep up to date by adding PC Advisor News to your iGoogle home page or Google Reader


Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

% of PC Advisor readers agree with you

Yes
TBC
No
TBC

What tasks can your smartphone do that would have traditionally been done on a laptop?

119 characters remaining

Follow the conversation at @SmartphoneFocus

web browsing, search facilities, voip, email, word processing everything RT @Graham_D_C

Mainly email but getting better at spreadsheets etc, RT @IDGdan
Google


Recent reviews

Reviews index


Latest reader comments

Latest reader comments


Top news

News index


Latest blog entries

Blogs index


 Our RSS feeds

Sponsored Content

  • Take the internet to new places with the Nokia N800
    Communicate how you want to, where you want to with instant messaging, email and internet calling. View movies, browse the internet wirelessly and watch TV on the high-resolution screen and listen through high-quality stereo speakers with headphone jack.
    Buy now