It wasn’t that long ago that people thought of high-speed Internet service as a luxury item. DSL was magic, shared in small business networks with a collection of cables, switches, and routers. Unfortunately, this technology left people thirsty for more. Soon after came Cable and Fiber offerings (at various speeds) that helped transform Internet service from a luxury item to a basic utility; a need. Around the same time, wireless technology eliminated the need for (messy) cables and switches, allowing office workers a greater degree of flexibility and freedom with their computing devices. Beyond laptops, many smartphones and mobile devices have started to support wireless access. But if you are out of your office, what do you do?
Free WiFi internet is popping up everywhere. Businesses (such as Panera Bread, Barnes & Noble, Starbucks, and McDonalds) with multiple locations offer free Wi-Fi. Add to that local libraries, airports, hotels, shops and other public services, and parks, and it’s becoming easier to stay connected when you’re on the go. It’s not uncommon to find business people camping out in one of these spots all day while doing jobs in between or preparing for their next appointment. Avoiding unnecessary trips back to the office is a key to productivity, efficiency, and saving money.
An increasing number of local “Wi-Fi hotspots” are maintained by the phone or cable company, offered to you for free as part of your office or home service package or mobile device. Verizon, AT&T, Cablevision, OptOnline, and Time Warner each have such a product. More information can be found by calling them or checking their website.
The internet has a collection of directories listing other free WiFi sites across the country. You can find them with Google or Bing, searching for “Free WiFi.” There’s even an iPhone app called “WiFi Finder.” While many of these “hot spots” impose a usage time limit at various times of the day, not all do, and sometimes you don’t need a lot of time to do a specific task.
Unfortunately, there is NO free lunch here. don’t forget about security. These free/open WiFi hotspots usually do not have any security or protection for you, your computer or your data. They often require you to agree to their “Terms of Service” which makes it clear that it is your responsibility and you will not hold them responsible if something happens. Be sure to take the minimum precautions:
- Make sure your device/laptop has antivirus/antimalware protection.
- Avoid using software or sites that transmit passwords or sensitive information in clear text. If you do, make sure the website you are visiting is encrypted (ie HTTPS).
- Use a VPN connection to get back to your office whenever possible.
The material presented here only scratches the surface. If your job has you on the road or traveling, if you’re planning a trip or expect to be out of the office for a period of time, plan ahead. You CAN be productive and stay connected from almost anywhere.