Do people use BT Openzone and other free networks?

willing2learn_3

Hi everyone

I've just discovered that i am in a BT Openzone and Fon area - i know nothing about these and haven't used them yet.....does anyone know the advantages, disadvantages of using them?

Also in terms of security how does it work?

I can't see much difference with my own little wifi device.....you still have to pay something - so interested in your thoughts.

thanks !!

BuntyB

I have openzone as part of my mobile package. Tried a few times with it, for me in my area it's pants. Slow slow slow. Always end up turning my wifi off and using 3G instead

googler

willing2learn wrote: »

Hi everyone

I've just discovered that i am in a BT Openzone and Fon area - i know nothing about these and haven't used them yet.....does anyone know the advantages, disadvantages of using them?

Also in terms of security how does it work?

I can't see much difference with my own little wifi device.....you still have to pay something - so interested in your thoughts.

The idea isn't necessarily to use BTFON in 'your' area - the idea is that FON users sacrifice a little bit of their own network bandwidth so that other FON users can, when they're away from their own network, access another for Free. It's so that you can use WiFi when you're away from your own WiFi, and not necessarily near commercial hotspots.

Security - you're not logging in to someone else's network, and others are not logging in to yours - you're using part of their bandwidth.

There's an FAQ at BTs website to fill in more detail.

willing2learn_3

Thanks BuntyB and Googler.

I will check out the FAQ's

StainlessUK

Most high streets are littered with BT FON (now BT WIFI) hotspots. Once I logged in using the app I never have to worry about getting a wifi signal!

Jeff_Bridges_hair

I use it as it comes free as part of my BT internet and phone package back home. Its alright but the connection can drop quite often when doing something which can be a pain but hey, its not all that bad.

willing2learn_3

Thanks everyone - i'm particularly concerned with the security issues - a friend said anyone can hack into ykour passwords, etc....and read your emails or see you typing them, etc....and that you need a really good firewall. At the moment I have....but just worried about that if anyone can comment on that side of things it would be great.

willing2learn_3

The impression i'm getting from what i've read is that the risk to personal data is present if one is actually acessing email. Since most of my websurfing is done without signing in or logging on to anything - unless i wanted to post which i often don't....does that mean the risk is far less? What i'm trying to get cleaer on is can people access your passwords, etc, if you are not actually using those while you are online?

Mr_Toad

I use it all the time when I'm out and about. BT Openzone and FON are perfectly secure and are totally separate from your own network.

The reason they're slow is that you only get limited bandwidth, enough for basic surfing and email, it's not meant to use for watching video or YouTube.