Best Ways to Get Free Wi-Fi

In today’s world, staying connected to the internet is an essential part of our daily lives. From checking emails to streaming movies, we rely on the internet for various tasks. However, not everyone has access to a stable internet connection or can afford to pay for a monthly data plan. This is where free Wi-Fi comes in handy. Finding free Wi-Fi hotspots can be a lifesaver, especially when you need to get online while on the go. 

According to a recent survey by Statista, as of 2023, there are 5.6 billion active internet users worldwide. With such a large number of people relying on the internet for their daily activities, having access to a stable and reliable internet connection is more important than ever before. Additionally, the pandemic has forced many people to work from home, which has increased the demand for high-speed internet connections.

However, not everyone has access to a stable internet connection, and this digital divide is more evident in developing countries. Therefore, finding ways to get free Wi-Fi is crucial for those who cannot afford to pay for internet services. It not only helps them stay connected but also enables them to access educational and economic opportunities. In this blog, we aim to provide tips and tricks on how to get free Wi-Fi so that everyone can stay connected and access the resources they need.

Potential threats of Using Public WiFi!

Before getting into the details, it’s important to note that a free network comes with many potential threats. Most public Wi-Fi networks are not secure. Such networks are easy targets for hackers and might drop your information at risk.

Some of the potential threats of using public Wi-Fi include:

1. Man-in-the-middle attacks: Hackers can intercept the traffic between your device and the public Wi-Fi hotspot and steal your sensitive information, such as login credentials and credit card numbers.
2. Malware and viruses: Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, making them vulnerable to malware and virus attacks that can infect your device and compromise your data.
3. Rogue hotspots: Hackers can set up fake Wi-Fi hotspots with similar names to legitimate ones to lure unsuspecting users into connecting. Once connected, the hackers can steal your information or infect your device with malware.
4. Snooping: Other users on the same public Wi-Fi network can see your online activity and potentially steal your sensitive information.

To mitigate these risks, it is recommended to avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions, such as online banking or shopping. Instead, use a secure connection or a mobile data plan. If you must use public Wi-Fi, make sure to use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your traffic and protect your privacy. It is also essential to keep your device’s software and security measures up to date and avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown files. The only way to securely access free Wi-Fi near you is through a VPN.

Why Use a VPN While Using Public Wi-Fi?

Public Wi-Fi hotspots attract hundreds of clients every day who don’t think they pay much attention to the security aspect of their data before connecting. And because of which, it’s a perfect avenue for hackers to set up fake access points. Such an “Evil Twin” network acts as a proxy between the client and the real access point. Internet traffic travels through the fake access point, thus giving it the ability to Before attempting to connect with a free public hotspot, it’s crucial to connect a trusted VPN like iProVPN. When you connect to a VPN, it creates a private network. All your internet traffic travels encrypted over the unsecured public network.

Using iProVPN, you can browse privately and anonymously.

How to Protect a Device while Connecting to a Free Wi-Fi?

iProVPN makes it easy to connect to the internet. Apps are available for all major platforms and you can even set up VPN on router. Once you are connected to a VPN server, internet traffic will be encrypted and no outside entity will be able to read what’s in the data packets. The VPN server will act as a proxy for you, so you can unblock geo-restricted content on the web with ease.

Steps to download iProVPN

• Download and install VPN app on your device.
• Launch iProVPN app.
• Login with the provided credentials.
• Select your preferred server location.
• Click Connect to establish a connection.

These measures will protect your device and data when using free public Wi-Fi. However, it is crucial to realise that utilizing a VPN is not flawless, and you should still take caution while using free public Wi-Fi. Avoid accessing sensitive information, such as online banking or shopping, and keep your device’s security software up to date.

How Can I Get Free Wi-Fi in My Area?

Using a VPN, you can safely search for free Wi-Fi hotspots in your area. To connect to free Wi-Fi, try public hotspots, your mobile carrier’s hotspots, or Wi-Fi map apps like Wi-Fi Map or Wiman. Remember to be cautious when accessing sensitive information on public Wi-Fi, even with a VPN, and keep your device’s security software up to date. There are multiple ways to connect with free Wi-Fi hotspots. Below, I am whittling down a list of the best ways to find free Wi-Fi.

Use Wi-Fi Map

Wi-Fi map is a paid mobile application to which you can subscribe and find hundreds of free Wi-Fi hotspots near your place. It’s one of the most trusted Wi-Fi finder apps that keep you updated with offline maps and a secure and ad-free VPN is also available.

Free Wi-Fi map apps can help you find local hotspots. Some Wi-Fi map app feature includes:

• Wi-Fi map apps store millions of hotspots worldwide.
• Search for Wi-Fi hotspots by location, network type, and other filters.
• Some Wi-Fi map apps provide Wi-Fi passwords for secure access to the network.
• Many Wi-Fi map apps let you test speeds to discover the quickest sites.
• Wi-Fi map apps show hotspots on a map, making it easy to discover the nearest network.
• Users can rate and evaluate Wi-Fi hotspots, helping you identify the best and most trustworthy networks.
• A Wi-Fi map software lets you identify and connect to free hotspots while travelling.

Install Instabridge App

Installing the Instabridge app is another good way to scan a free Wi-Fi network near you. The app is available for Android and iPhones. When you install Instabridge, you can have access to five hundred thousand open Wi-Fi networks available publicly. However, you have to be careful while selecting the location in the app. Your current location should be correct if you want to find working public Wi-Fi networks nearby. You can also use its special feature that connects a device automatically with the nearest available hotspot.

Use NetStumbler

NetStumbler detects wireless networks on Windows. Network administrators and security experts use it for wireless network scanning and analysis. NetStumbler’s main features:

• Detects Networks: NetStumbler displays wireless networks’ SSID, MAC address, and signal strength.
• Signal Strength: It shows the wireless network’s signal strength, helping users assess its quality.
• GPS Support: NetStumbler uses GPS to locate wireless networks.
• Detailed Information: NetStumbler provides detailed information about the wireless network, including channel information, encryption type, and network type.
• Network Security: NetStumbler can discover wireless network security weaknesses, including weak passwords and insecure networks.

In addition, NetStumbler is an award-winning network finding tool, but connecting with a VPN while using it is still suggested.

Connect with your Phone’s Hotspot

It’s no surprise that mobile data is precious and people don’t like to use it excessively. However, you can extend your mobile data to other devices by turning your phone into a hotspot. You can use this trick when you badly need an internet connection for something important.

A mobile hotspot lets you to quickly deliver internet connection on other devices such as your laptop, PC, or another phone. Here’s how to turn your phone into a hotspot:

For Apple Phones

• Open “Settings”.
• Click where you see “Personal Hotspot”.
• Enter a “secure password”.
• Toggle the bar to get started.
• Connect your desired device with the same network.
• Enter the password and click on connect.

For Android Phones

• Go to your phone “Settings”.
• Find ‘Network and Internet’ settings.
• Click where you see “More”
• Select where you find “Hotspot and tethering”.
• Now, click on “Wi-Fi Hotspot”.
• Enter a secure password and enable it to begin.
• Connect your device.
• Enter the same password.
• Click connect.

These are the usual steps to be taken to connect to your mobile hotspot to stay connected to the internet on any other device.

Switch to a Portable Router

A portable router is an alternative to wired Internet access; it performs the same functions as a standard router but uses cellular data networks (3G or 4G) instead of an Ethernet connection. Little and affordable, these gadgets are ideal for home use. Avoid the cheapest option if you need a lot of connections at once; it may be slow.

Owning a router and connecting to it directly is a far safer alternative to using public Wi-Fi. Having a lengthy battery life, and unless you happen to be in an area with poor network coverage, you won’t unexpectedly lose internet access.

Is there a reason why you shouldn’t use public wi-fi?

If you don’t want others to connect to your Wi-Fi network, check out our blog on how to hide Wi-Fi SSID here or on how to kick someone off your Wi-Fi.

Conclusion

Any of the aforementioned apps can be downloaded and used to link up with a nearby hotspot. If you want to be safe when browsing the web, however, you should use iProVPN to secure your device before connecting to any public network.