In today’s digital world, having access to an internet connection has become a necessity. With an internet connection, you can chat with friends, work online, watch movies, and so much more. Unfortunately, reliable internet comes with a cost, and not everyone can be able to meet this. In some forums, individuals have been asking, how can I get WiFi without an internet provider?
The good news is that there are several options for getting WiFi without an internet provider. Among the top alternatives include using public WiFi, sharing someone’s connection, mobile tethering, and using portable dongles. This article has all you need to know about affordable internet connection, read till the end to learn more.
How To Get WiFi Without An Internet Provider
Public WiFi
Public WiFi is available in places like cafes, restaurants, public parks, libraries, and transport hubs. All you need to do is turn on the WiFi on your device and then connect. Some have passwords that are normally printed on the wall or you can ask service personnel in places like coffee shops. It is however important to note that public WiFi has issues with privacy since someone can access your information.
Share Someone’s Connection
If you are thinking of “how can I get WiFi without an internet provider” and you have your friend’s device around you, sharing their connection will be ideal. You may however have to inquire to be sure that they are not on a limited data plan.
To set up and share the connection on a Windows device:
- Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Select Network and Internet on the left panel, and choose Mobile hotspot.
- Click the dropdown menu, below Share my internet connection from then pick the connection you want to share.
- Hit Edit, input your preferred WiFi name and password then click Save.
- Switch on the toggle beside Share my internet with other devices than on your device, turn on WiFi, input the password then connect to the internet.
To share a connection from android:
- Go to Setting then tap on Network and Internet. Some phones may have options like Connections.
- Select Mobile Hotspot and Tethering then turn on the toggle beside Mobile Hotspot.
- If the Wifi name has not been configured, you may be prompted to set the name and password.
To share a connection from iPhone:
- Open Settings, head to Cellular then navigate to Personal hotspot.
- Toggle on Allow others to join then take note of the password.
Mobile Tethering
With mobile tethering, you will need a data cable and then turn on your mobile data connection. Unlike WiFi, network speed via mobile tethering is faster and more stable. Once you have connected the data cable to your phone and computer, use the following steps to enable tethering.
- Open Settings on your android phone then go to Network and Internet.
- Choose Mobile Hotspot and Tethering then switch on the toggle beside USB tethering.
Use Portable Dongles
If you love traveling with your PC you may need an internet connection to quickly catch up with something online. Travelers keep asking “can I get WiFi without an internet provider?” Portable dongles will be their best bet since it is easy to connect. All you need to do is insert your sim and then plug the dongle into your PC. Wifi dongles are however slower than any of the previous ways.
If you have a good budget, you can opt for portable cellular routers. A cellular router has a battery and a sim card slot and its light weight makes it perfect when traveling.
Safety Measures When Using A Public WiFi
Since public WiFi has security concerns, you will have to practice some safety measures.
- Use a VPN: VPN, short for virtual private network, is a service that creates a secure connection between a device and the network. VPN encrypts your traffic and then hides your online identity thereby making it difficult for third parties to track your online activity. There are several VPNs over the web, both paid and free. Go through the reviews of each before downloading to ensure you get the best.
- Avoid performing sensitive actions: Anyone trying to steal your data targets valuable information like banking details. The best safety measure is to stop helping third parties to get your information. One of the ways is to avoid logging into your online banking account with public WiFi.
- Login to encrypted websites: If you must log into websites, ensure that they are encrypted. Safe websites have HTTPS at the start of the URL.
- Set when to connect to WiFi: If you have previously connected to public WiFi, your device will connect automatically the next time you are within reach. Configure your phone not to connect automatically to public WiFi by making tweaks to settings. To do this on android:
- Open settings, go to connection then navigate to WiFi.
- Tap the three dots on your top right and then pick Advanced settings.
- Click Manage networks, select the network you would love to configure then slide off the toggle key next to Auto-reconnect.
How To Make Your Home WiFi Stronger
Use A Repeater
Some parts in your house may be far away from the router leading to slower connections while in those points. To improve your network speed, you will have to purchase a WiFi repeater. Wifi repeaters rebroadcast the signal to the WiFi black spot points.
Choose An Optimal Point
Walls and floors are known to interfere with wireless connections. To ensure you get full speed, place your router away from obstructions. Some routers allow you to run an internet connection to test for optimal points in your room. If your router has an optimal point test, run the test to find the best point.
Reduce Interference
Most WiFi operates at a frequency of 2.4GHz. This frequency is also used by other appliances in your home e.g. microwaves and baby monitors. Having many devices of the same frequency causes signal interference leading to poor connections. To get full optimal speeds, you will have to turn off some devices.
Change Frequencies
If you cannot turn off other devices in your home, you will have the option to go for other frequencies like 5GHz. Since this frequency is not commonly used, you will minimize the chances of interference from other devices. Although 5GHz offers faster speeds, it is important to note that it doesn’t reach as far as 2.4GHz does. Some routers come with an Auto option where it automatically switches to the best signal.
How Can I Make My Home Wifi Safe?
With home WiFi, you can comfortably perform sensitive activities like accessing your online banking services. However, you may have to regularly keep a check on your WiFi security.
Set Up A Strong Password
Most if not all WiFi routers come with the same SSID name and password. The default password is labeled on the router and anyone who has ever purchased one can connect to your network. To avoid this, make some changes to the SSID and password.
- Connect your smartphone or computer to the router’s network via WiFi or cable.
- Open your web browser then type the IP address into the search bar. The IP address is usually included on the router or user manual.
- Input the login credentials then proceed to log into the admin account.
- Go to Wifi settings and under Basic WiFi settings, enter your preferred SSID and password then save the changes.
Create A Guest WiFi
Setting up a guest network allows your guest to access an internet connection via a separate WiFi network. By doing this, your guests will not be able to access any shared folders or other information. To do this, you will need to access your router’s settings.
Update Firmware
With outdated firmware, the router is vulnerable to attacks. Updating your firmware will ensure your network is secure. While the auto-update is set as default, some devices may require you to manually perform the update from the manufacturer’s website.
Limit Access
Some routers have an advanced security feature called MAC filtering. This feature allocates a unique MAC address to each device. You can configure the router to deny or allow network access to selected devices by adding them to blacklists or whitelists.
When you blacklist a MAC address, the device cannot get connected despite having the correct password. To add devices to the blacklist or white lists, you will have to access your router’s settings dashboard.
Conclusion
At this point, you can see that the “can I get WiFi without an internet provider” question should be the least of your concerns. There are several alternatives available if you need Wi-Fi without an internet service provider. The best choice will depend on your specific needs and situation.
Before settling on a particular alternative, you may have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. On top of all, the safety of your data should be a priority. If it means you have to spend more on the internet to keep your data private, make that decision!
