Cheeky ways to get free wi-fi

Former_MSE_Joanne · 15 January 2015 at 2:02PM

We want to tap MoneySavers' collective knowledge on the boldest ways you get online while you're out and about. Do you sometimes stand outside a restaurant you've been to once before just so you can pick up its wi-fi signal? Ever dropped in on a mate pretending you want to say 'hi' when you really just need to check your Facebook?

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scotsbob · 21 January 2015 at 12:39AM

Just do a network search for the nearest network and piggyback on to it

There are plenty of free apps that automate the process for you.

Doc_N · 21 January 2015 at 7:38AM

scotsbob wrote: »

Just do a network search for the nearest network and piggyback on to it

There are plenty of free apps that automate the process for you.

A very dangerous game unless you're absolutely certain that the hotspot you're about to use is what it says it is - and that's not easy. All too easy for hackers to create fraudulent Wi-Fi networks with genuine-sounding names to steal data from phones.

Sensitive information should not be sent over public wi-fi hotspots, to avoid hackers stealing it, Europe's top cybercrime police officer has warned.
Troels Oerting, head of Europol's cybercrime centre, told BBC Click people should send personal data only across networks they trusted.
He said the warning was motivated by the growing number of attacks being carried out via public wi-fi.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26469598

bennett2kuk · 21 January 2015 at 9:57AM

We always ask for friends' wifi codes when we go to their houses but I'm more than happy to dish my own out when people come to ours.
I would never use wifi anywhere other than somebody's house that I knew though, a report saying that people can set up fake wifi hotspots and harvest your security information put paid to that.
I do have a good contract on my mobile though and have no worries about using mobile internet when I need to.

And irrespective of whether somebody has set up a network to defraud or hasn't bothered to set up their security, piggybacking without their permission is illegal anyway and I'd never recommend it.

Kernow666 · 21 January 2015 at 10:42AM

i havent done it this country but when i have been abroad i have lurked outside restaurants/fast food outlets to get free WiFi

MaffyD · 21 January 2015 at 11:08AM

Using friends wi-fi is fine, as they've given you permission (unless you searched for the code on their router whilst they were out of the room). I'd give permission to my friends and family.

Out and about, there are hoops to jump through to get coffee shop or Asda or other 'free' access which make it awkward for a quick facebook update. It's usually easier and quicker to use 3G (if you're only there for 5 minutes or so). If you're hanging around outside a shop (or in a supermarket aisle) for over 30 minutes just to get the wifi then I'd say you have a problem somewhere!

As far as apps that shorten this process, or just using any 'open' network you find... good luck on making sure your identity and other details are safe doing that. Horror stories abound.

I always use the official Sky app to connect to The Cloud, and the Vodafone app to use BT Wi-fi (also works on the London Underground, apparently). That allows me free wi-fi practically anywhere I want it.

brewerdave · 21 January 2015 at 11:12AM

When in Zante a couple of years ago, I used a "free" wifi connection from the local bar whilst sat in our apartment - but you had to go in regularly to buy a drink/meal as he changed the password at least weekly to reduce freeloading.
In this country it is noticeable that there are far fewer open wifi networks than there once were; I've just run a search and every network I can see from home is WPA2 protected -a couple of years ago there would have been 2 or 3 running without any form of encryption.

kjrider · 21 January 2015 at 11:52AM

I you have a BT wifi, then you will automatically be on the 'Fon' network.

The idea is that your network is shared with other 'Fon' users, and you can do the same with other peoples. All you need to remember is your Fon password.

Have a look at the Fon or Fonera website and yo will see how many hot spots there are.

if not, there are the Wetherspoons Pub's with their free wifi.

Normal security rules apply of course. I would never do my online banking at a hot spot, just in case. Its probably a very small chance of it, but you never know.

cheers

KJR

onomatopoeia99 · 21 January 2015 at 12:18PM

There is no firewall between my open wifi and the Internet. Good luck to anyone connecting to it! If they don't look at the IPv4 address they are assigned on connecting and see it's not a NAT one and that they are completely exposed, they won't realise how vulnerable they might be ...

I get many attacks per minute logged coming in from the internet on my wired network, which is firewalled, so I would never use an open wifi spot without understanding the nature of the provision.

CMcC · 21 January 2015 at 12:54PM

When overseas, lobbies of (upscale) hotels sometimes have open Wifi. Just go and 'hang around as if waiting to meet someone'... and it's so normal for people to fiddle with smartphones in such places...

On East Midlands Trains (Yorkshire/Derby/Nottingham/Leicester/StPancras - wifi is free in First class but charged in Standard (and expensive for just a couple of hours). 3G is weak because the signal gets lost often. So, if you can, find a seat in the Standard class half of the carriage where First class begins; and you'll probably get onto the free wifi. Not all trains have this type of carriage, unfortunately; and sometimes it's full ;-)

gloriouslyhappy · 21 January 2015 at 1:19PM

MaffyD wrote: »

I always use the official Sky app to connect to The Cloud, and the Vodafone app to use BT Wi-fi (also works on the London Underground, apparently). That allows me free wi-fi practically anywhere I want it.

if you have a BT or Virgin account, then BT Wifi with Fon and Virgin Media hotspots are available in most places, you just need to register. The Cloud is also available, it's free and once you've registered and logged on, your smart phone, ipad or whatever device you're using should remember your details and automatically join you to these. Safer than using any old open hotspot, unless it's a big chain like Wetherspoons or Brewer's Fayre.

Cheeky ways to get free wi-fi

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