Xiaomi Mi4

slinga

Not techie as far as mobiles go.
Haven't had one for 26 years and the missus seldom uses her old Nokkia.

But she's bought a Xiaomi Mi4 which we are trying to learn how to use - no manual.

Anyway what's this Data stuff which you can use or turn off.
As I understand you have the phone, wifi connection and this Data thingy.

Is the Data thing a connection to the internet using the phone connection??
I understand it can be quite expensive so we think we've turned it off and will just use the phone for calls and wifi when available.

Is this the way to go???

And another point when free wifi is available does the fact that you aren't required to fill in a password make the connection any less secure or is the password only to help limit the number of connections to a server???

Thanks.

deaglecat

Mi4 is a good phone - v.nice screen - but not for novice because it is not sold in the UK. Some Mi4 have Google Apps "helpfully" put on them by resellers ... but need to be careful that it does not contain spyware.

No data on a smartphone means restricted Apps usage in navigation (e.g. live traffic), email when out and about etc.

WiFi without password is not secure, basically the information between your phone and whatever internet server you are on could potentially be read by anyone with a modicum of hacking skills. But if you are surfing to a secure website then the traffic will be somewhat protected as there will be an encrypted (TLS) session between your browser and the destination website - irrespective of the WiFi itself lacking a password. Basically traffic to HTTP (rather than HTTPS) website could be easily intercepted.

WiFi password does help limit connections because those that don't know the password can't join.

macman

The cost of data will depend on the contract-some data is usually included, be it SIM only or contract phone, go beyond that limit and you pay a penurious excess data rate. Use data over wi-fi and it cposts you nothing.
If it's PAYG, the data cost will depend on the rate or bundle purchased, which you haven't stated.

slinga

Thanks to you both.

macman, what does ' Use data over wi-fi and it costs you nothing.', mean???

Because we don't use phones that much unlike most others in the world we are on a prepay contract. Is that called PAYG???

jenniewb

slinga wrote: »

Thanks to you both.

macman, what does ' Use data over wi-fi and it costs you nothing.', mean???

Because we don't use phones that much unlike most others in the world we are on a prepay contract. Is that called PAYG???

prepay is the same as pay as you go (or PAYG) but over wifi can be with any supplier either on contract or PAYG or even with your home internet connection. Also some stores and services (eg hotels, leisure centers, gyms and so on) will allow you to use their wifi connection for free, others may allow you a certain amount of data and some contact or PAYG suppliers will allow you free wifi in certain designated "hot spots". The downside is it can occasionally fail, it can be sluggish of laggy and if you unwittingly use a scammers wifi they can obtain your details and use it for fraud or scams.

slinga

Thanks jenniewb.
We've been using free WiFi in hotels and restaurants etc with our laptop but don't feel as safe yet with the new mobile so wondered if using a password makes the connection more secure or not.
Hot spots don't appear to require passwords?
Do mobile phones require firewalls similar to computer s?

deaglecat

If you want real security whilst using an untrusted network (e.g. free coffee shop wifi with no password to join the network) then consider using a VPN (virtual private network).

A VPN secures an otherwise unsecured connection. It encrypts your traffic so that the operator of the "free wifi network" or other users on that wifi cannot "see" your traffic.

An example VPN is freedome (by fsecure) which offers a free trial. This works on android mobiles such as the MI4. You can find it in the google play store.

slinga

Thanks deaglecat.

I use Hola on my laptop and desktop.

I wonder if it will work on an android phone.

I'll give it a go and see.

slinga

Tried Hola.
Didn't like it.
It changed everything to Hola system on the screens.
So uninstalled.