How To Find And Use Wireless Internet Hotspots

A hotspot is an area where a wireless internet signal can be picked up and used by a computer or other wireless internet - or "WIFI" - capable device. You don't need to have an existing internet account to use a hotspot and WIFI speeds are basically that of broadband's.

You'll find hotspots in many public places like coffee shops and train stations. Just look out for signs like these. Hotspots normally have a range of 50 to 100 metres (that's about 55 to 110 yards) but they're getting bigger all the time.

The most common way of using a hotspot is with a laptop computer. Most Apple laptops made since 2004 have wireless networking built in. Look for this "Airport" icon at the top of your screen or the word "Airport" in the "Network" section of your System Preferences.

On a Window's laptop, you can find out if you can use wireless by clicking Start and going to the control panel. On Vista, you click on "Category", then "Hardware and Sound". Double click on "Device Manager", then the plus sign next to "Network Adapters". In the list that appears you should see something like "Wireless" or "WLAN".

Windows XP is similar. In the control panel, double click "System", select the "Hardware" tab, then "Device Manager" (you may have to click on "Classic View"). Once again, you click the plus sign next to "Network Adapters". You'll see something like "Wireless" or "WLAN" on the list if you can use wireless.

If you don't have a wireless capable computer, you can buy a hardware card or USB adaptor to plug in and make your computer wireless ready.

Once you've found your hotspot, your computer will detect the wireless signal and should connect automatically. If it doesn't, you'll have to select the hotspot network yourself.

To see if you have any networks in range, on a Mac click on the Airport icon and look for the name of the hotspot you're in. It should be pretty clear which network to choose, but if you're in any doubt ask a member of staff.

On a Windows XP Laptop, you can find the network by going to the Control Panel, double clicking "Network connections" (you may have to switch to the Classic View), right click on "Wireless network connection" and select "View available wireless networks". On Vista, Click Start, then Network and then click Network and Sharing Center in the Command Bar.

When you open your web browser, it will automatically go to the log in page of the hotspot you have selected. Here you can enter your card details to buy time on a pay as you go basis, or set up an account for long term use. Once that's done, hey presto! You're online.

Some public networks are free to use, in which case you won't see the log in screen when you open your web browser - it'll just work as normal. It' worth pointing out here that there are two kinds of free network: Ones that are deliberately set up for free and open access and ones that someone has set up in their office or home but hasn't secured properly. Moral issues aside, it worth pointing out that if you use the second kind, you're effectively putting your computer on their network, so make sure your network and sharing settings are secure if you don't want them to be able to browse your folders.