Basic WiFi Instruction

[Chrisy]

I never had WiFi before! If I go into a Starbucks, how do I use their WiFi?

 

[Eclipse2K]

I never had WiFi before! If I go into a Starbucks, how do I use their WiFi?

You activate Wi-Fi on the phone in the Wireless Settings menu and tell your phone to search for Wi-Fi signals which is in the same menu. You choose the network (should be named Starbucks Public or something) and type in the password if it requires one. I know some places have a daily password that they have written on a chalk board or will provide upon request if a password is required.

 

[Chrisy]

Simple enough, thank you. I was wondering about a password.

No one can hack into my device when I'm using public WiFi, right?

 

[SUB-dawg]

You go to your WiFi settings and join the Starbucks WiFi network. After that, go to the browser and you will have to sign in to the network. A lot of places have free WiFi but not all will require you to sign in.

Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt via Tapatalk

 

[SUB-dawg]

Simple enough, thank you. I was wondering about a password.

No one can hack into my device when I'm using public WiFi, right?

Correct

Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt via Tapatalk

 

[Eclipse2K]

Simple enough, thank you. I was wondering about a password.

No one can hack into my device when I'm using public WiFi, right?

A hacker could take control of your device if they wanted to. Generally, it's a good idea to only use Wi-Fi on a public network for general things such as surfing the web. I would avoid typing in passwords and personal information just to be safe. Nothing will probably happen either way but why be caught in the middle if it does happen?

 

[Chrisy]

Great, thanks!

 

[Eclipse2K]

Correct

Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt via Tapatalk

Are you sure about that? A hacker could drive by and steal information from a computer on an open network without trouble. It's been reported numerous times and has always been advised to avoid typing in personal information on a public connection if possible.

 

[Chrisy]

I recently had an issue so I'll be extra cautious.

 

[Ricky Babalu]

I never had WiFi before! If I go into a Starbucks, how do I use their WiFi?

I would caution against using public wifi when accessing your bank accounts, personal email, or anything requiring your personal passwords. Your data on the phone should be secure, but anything transmitted over the air is fair game. Read link below, it is a good cautionary article.

Use A Public WiFi Network? Your Assets Are In Danger! | Domain names, news and opinions

 

[Chrisy]

Thanks for the link, good info!

 

[SUB-dawg]

well anything using passwords or personal info is unsafe but checking the forums for example are perfectly safe!

 

[prakash99]

In my experience, 3G on my phone has been faster than public Wi-Fis... So I don't turn wifi on unless I'm home..

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

 

[Chrisy]

If I have WiFi on should I turn 3G internet connection off?

I found a WiFi connection in my yard!

 

[mclarryjr]

No need to turn anything off once your connected to wifi.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

 

[Chrisy]

No need to turn anything off once your connected to wifi.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Thanks! It says good connection.

 

[Droid_Evo_8]

And no need to use WiFi if you're in a 4g area. Right, guys?

 

[Chrisy]

I'm in 3G. It won't let me upload YouTube videos unless I use WiFi. Can my neighbors see I'm using their WiFi?

 

[realitydigg]

I'm in 3G. It won't let me upload YouTube videos unless I use WiFi. Can my neighbors see I'm using their WiFi?

Yes your neighbors can see that you are using their WiFi - if they look at who is logged in to their router which they might do if you are bogging down their network. I have logged into neighbors WiFi at a summer place. Upgraded their router and switched them to better performing channels - as payment for using their interenet

Also, unencrypted (and even some simply encrypted) Wifi is very easy to listen in to. So if someone is malicious they can hang out and watch the traffic going back and forth. So passwords to sites that are not HTTPS can be sniffed out etc. It isnt really that you phone will be commandeered and forced to do things it doesn't want to, more that you data won't be secure. Then again most of the time you will be fine regardless of all this.

 

[Chrisy]

Ok, thanks. I think they just don't know enough to put a password on their connection. I didn't upload anything big. Just a video to YouTube that was too big for my phone. It was. 45 second HD vid.