How to Find Wireless Internet Access on the Road

Coffee shops are popular locations for free wireless Internet.

Many people would be utterly lost without Internet. They rely on it for email communications, research, entertainment, social networking and even conference calls, so it's no wonder a major concern when traveling is finding available wireless internet. The good news is that wireless Internet's popularity has fueled its increasing availability in public establishments. Just remember to restrict your own access to public hotspots, because jumping on an unsecured private network without permission is illegal.

Things You'll Need

• A car
• A laptop with a built-in wireless receiver or wireless card
• A car lighter AC power adapter (optional)

Instructions

1. Click the wireless network icon in your laptop's system tray. This pops up a menu displaying the currently available networks. Look for a name that implies a public network, such as the words "Municipal Wi-Fi," "public" or "[City] open network." Several cities sponsor wireless networks to allow residents and tourists to have access to the Internet.

2. Go to the nearest coffee shop and surf while enjoying a cup of java. Coffee shops frequently offer free wireless to entice patrons to return to their shop. Likewise, many restaurants, including fast-food joints, offer free wireless.

3. Head to the local library. Most cities offer free wireless Internet at their community libraries.

4. Check into a wireless-equipped hotel, or just request to use their business center. There will usually be a charge for using the business center, especially if you are not a paying guest at the hotel.

Tips & Warnings

• Other hotspot hotspots--colleges, universities, libraries, RV parks and visitor's centers.

• Some folks have ethical qualms with using wireless routers without permission. If this bugs you, simply ask.

• Keep in mind that most wireless routers are unsecured, so the data you transmit is vulnerable to being intercepted for nasty means.