Difference between revisions of "Get on the Internet for Free"
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While many people today pay for Internet, some people may either not be able to afford the costs associated with connecting to the Internet or they may prefer not to pay. Whatever your reasons, one of the benefits of having a increasingly-connected world is that it is easier than ever to find a place where you can go online for free. | While many people today pay for Internet, some people may either not be able to afford the costs associated with connecting to the Internet or they may prefer not to pay. Whatever your reasons, one of the benefits of having a increasingly-connected world is that it is easier than ever to find a place where you can go online for free. | ||
| − | [[Category:Internet]] | + | [[Category: Internet]] |
==Steps== | ==Steps== | ||
===Discovering Free Internet Around Your Home=== | ===Discovering Free Internet Around Your Home=== | ||
| − | #Ask your neighbors. Whether you live in an apartment building or you live in a house, the chances are that one of your neighbors is already paying for Internet services. Since tapping into your neighbor's WiFi without their consent is illegal, you should ask them if you can use it.<ref>http://phys.org/news/2009-11-neighbor-wi-fi-free.html</ref> | + | #Ask your neighbors. Whether you live in an apartment building or you live in a house, the chances are that one of your neighbors is already paying for Internet services. Since tapping into your neighbor's WiFi without their consent is illegal, you should ask them if you can use it.<ref name="rf1">http://phys.org/news/2009-11-neighbor-wi-fi-free.html</ref> |
#* Some neighbors will let you use their Internet service for free; otherwise, a common arrangement is that you two split the bill -- which isn't exactly ''free'', but it is cheaper than paying alone! | #* Some neighbors will let you use their Internet service for free; otherwise, a common arrangement is that you two split the bill -- which isn't exactly ''free'', but it is cheaper than paying alone! | ||
#* You can also barter with your neighbors for access to their Internet: for instance, you cut their grass, clean their car, etc. | #* You can also barter with your neighbors for access to their Internet: for instance, you cut their grass, clean their car, etc. | ||
#Ask you building staff. Oftentimes, if you live in an apartment building, the building will offer free wireless Internet access for its residents in select areas. This, of course, is only helpful if you live in an apartment building. | #Ask you building staff. Oftentimes, if you live in an apartment building, the building will offer free wireless Internet access for its residents in select areas. This, of course, is only helpful if you live in an apartment building. | ||
#Search a neighboring building. If you live in the city, chances are a building in your proximity offers free wireless Internet access for its residents or guests, and sometimes this network will require no username or password to access. | #Search a neighboring building. If you live in the city, chances are a building in your proximity offers free wireless Internet access for its residents or guests, and sometimes this network will require no username or password to access. | ||
| − | #* As you may not be the intended user for a neighboring building's wireless Internet, if you are caught there may be legal ramifications.<ref | + | #* As you may not be the intended user for a neighboring building's wireless Internet, if you are caught there may be legal ramifications.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Look into free dial-up. Most locations nationwide are eligible to receive "free" dial-up Internet service through providers like NetZero and Juno. You can find out if you're in such a location by searching All-Free-ISP.com. The only catch is that these services put ads on your browser while you access the Internet.<ref>http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-get-free-internet-service-almost-anywhere/</ref> | + | #Look into free dial-up. Most locations nationwide are eligible to receive "free" dial-up Internet service through providers like NetZero and Juno. You can find out if you're in such a location by searching All-Free-ISP.com. The only catch is that these services put ads on your browser while you access the Internet.<ref name="rf2">http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-get-free-internet-service-almost-anywhere/</ref> |
#Tether your phone. If you are already paying for Internet on your phone and are looking to access it through your computer, many services offer a tethering feature for free, which would allow you to use your phone's Internet service on your computer by connecting them through Bluetooth or WiFi. Call your service provider and ask if this is the case. | #Tether your phone. If you are already paying for Internet on your phone and are looking to access it through your computer, many services offer a tethering feature for free, which would allow you to use your phone's Internet service on your computer by connecting them through Bluetooth or WiFi. Call your service provider and ask if this is the case. | ||
#* If you're already paying for it, then it isn't free -- but it is an economical use of your money! | #* If you're already paying for it, then it isn't free -- but it is an economical use of your money! | ||
===Finding Free Internet Around Your Town=== | ===Finding Free Internet Around Your Town=== | ||
| − | #Visit the library. City libraries ''all'' offer free Internet, although some may not offer free wireless access. Ask a librarian if there is WiFi access and, if so, what the access codes are.<ref>http://www.countrymilewifi.com/how_to_get_free_wifi_internet_access.aspx</ref> | + | #Visit the library. City libraries ''all'' offer free Internet, although some may not offer free wireless access. Ask a librarian if there is WiFi access and, if so, what the access codes are.<ref name="rf3">http://www.countrymilewifi.com/how_to_get_free_wifi_internet_access.aspx</ref> |
#* If your local library doesn't have WiFi, you can always use one of their computers for Internet access. | #* If your local library doesn't have WiFi, you can always use one of their computers for Internet access. | ||
| − | #Go to a cafe. Nowadays, most coffee shops and even many breakfast and lunch restaurants offer free wireless Internet for their patrons. You will probably have to purchase something in order to gain the access codes, but the Internet access will taste of sweet ''free''ness.<ref | + | #Go to a cafe. Nowadays, most coffee shops and even many breakfast and lunch restaurants offer free wireless Internet for their patrons. You will probably have to purchase something in order to gain the access codes, but the Internet access will taste of sweet ''free''ness.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #Check out a book store. Many book stores, such as Barnes & Noble, offer free wireless Internet access -- and sometimes you don't even have to purchase anything to use it!<ref | + | #Check out a book store. Many book stores, such as Barnes & Noble, offer free wireless Internet access -- and sometimes you don't even have to purchase anything to use it!<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #Look into other establishments. There are lots of other places around you that offer free wireless Internet that you might not have thought of: for instance, McDonald's or a city park. To find other places near you, check out the website OpenWiFiSpots.com and search your neighborhood.<ref | + | #Look into other establishments. There are lots of other places around you that offer free wireless Internet that you might not have thought of: for instance, McDonald's or a city park. To find other places near you, check out the website OpenWiFiSpots.com and search your neighborhood.<ref name="rf3" /> |
== Warnings == | == Warnings == | ||
