Wi-Fi hotspot locating software

avantra

I have a question.

While moving in the world for business, I use my laptop a lot in wi-fi hotspots (mainly hotels and airports).

The problem I have is that in many places wireless Internet is not free, and there’s little information to tell you if the network is free or not. (the laptop pick the non-free ones as encrypted line but not always).

Is there a software (I prefer a free one but if its good I'll pay up) somewhere that tells you what networks are available and if they are free or not.

The application that came with my wi-fi usb receiver shows the available networks but their is no way I can tell if these are free or not. Will be nice if you can pay via this software, saving the hustle of looking for the wi-fi kiosk.

Howellers_2

avantra wrote:

I have a question.

While moving in the world for business, I use my laptop a lot in wi-fi hotspots (mainly hotels and airports).

The problem I have is that in many places wireless Internet is not free, and there’s little information to tell you if the network is free or not. (the laptop pick the non-free ones as encrypted line but not always).

Is there a software (I prefer a free one but if its good I'll pay up) somewhere that tells you what networks are available and if they are free or not.

The application that came with my wi-fi usb receiver shows the available networks but their is no way I can tell if these are free or not. Will be nice if you can pay via this software, saving the hustle of looking for the wi-fi kiosk.

tbh I dont think you need additional software... If you can connect and get on the net without a password (or being forwarded to login page such a BT Openzone) it's "free". Generally a network that is giving out free wifi is either a badly setup private one (a few of these on my street ) or there as a service to patrons (for example coffee shops).

Just be careful that its "legal" to use that network ) Starbucks in Airports around the world are generally good for free wifi.. And South Korea had stands of fully equipped PCs totally free that you could just stand at whilst web browsing.. that killed an 11 hour wait between flights one year...

Pete

albertross_2

http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/ is the nearest you are going to get, but there are websites that list free wifi hotspots.

Be aware that attaching your PC to any unencrypted network potentially exposes your details, passwords etc to sniffers.