How to Get Free Wifi

Free Wi-Fi areas are often known as hot spots; however, finding free Wi-Fi is not as easy today as it was a few years ago. You may need to research several options to find legal and safe access. Read more to learn how to get free Wi-Fi.

Method 1 of 3: Free Wi-Fi Near Home

1. Grab a coffee or a sandwich. Starbucks, Panera and even fast food restaurants have become a standard for free Internet access. Making a purchase is common courtesy and usually required.
2. Go to the public library. Many libraries have electrical outlets and Wi-Fi for the laptop, tablet and smart phone user. Ask the librarian how to log in.  
3. Choose a truck stop instead of a coffee stop. If you are located by busy thoroughfares, you may get free Wi-Fi at a stop and have the ability to stay for a long period of time. 
4. Go to shopping malls or parks. Large community areas may have free Wi-Fi as a service to the customer and community.  

Method 2 of 3: Free Travel Wi-Fi

1. Sign up for your hotel's loyalty program. Many hotels charge for Wi-Fi, but they may waive it if you start their points program. 
2. Go to the airport. Check to see if your local airport gives free Wi-Fi to travelers. The connection may be slower or have a time limit.  
3. Search coupon websites before you travel. Airlines, hotels and transport services may list coupon codes for free Wi-Fi. Sites like Retail Me Not give you the code and the stipulations. 
4. Call your cable Internet provider. If you pay for cable Internet at home, your account login may work in thousands of the provider's Wi-Fi hot spots across the region. 

• Go to www.cablewifi.com to check if your provider is part of this program

Method 3 of 3: Free Wi-Fi Technology

1. Use an iPhone with AT&T. The iPhone should come with the ability to check for AT&T hot spots. 
2. Sign up for the WeFi application. This will give you access to free Wi-Fi hot spots. This includes up to 16 million worldwide. 
3. Buy a Wi-Fi adapter to get a stronger Wi-Fi signal. This USB device can plug in and act to amplify the signal so that you can use a local signal.  
4. Visit a free Wi-Fi database. If you are traveling, it may be best to do your research before you go so that you'll have a few places where you can access the Internet right away.

• In Europe, you can access free-hotspot.com/index.php?lang=en to find thousands of local free Wi-Fi providers.
• Use v4.jiwire.com/search-hotspot-locations.htm to find hot spot locations in America and across the world.

Tips

Access to Wi-Fi from restaurants and coffee shops will vary greatly depending upon the location. Smaller locales may have unlimited access, while busy shops may have timed access or no access at all.

Warnings

Beware that using free Wi-Fi requires you to take some safety measures. Make sure you turn off file sharing, pay attention to people trying to look at your data and avoid accessing programs with passwords while you are in a crowded place.