How to Use Wireless Internet for Hot Spots

Many businesses, restaurants, hotels and a myriad of other places have Wi-Fi hot spots. These hot spots are areas in which a laptop can connect to the Internet using the wireless network in the area. Thanks to the relative low cost of wireless routers, many homes now have wireless hot spots as well. Connecting to the Internet using these hot spots is simple. No Internet expertise is needed aside from basic skills.

Step 1

Click on the "Start" menu at the bottom left of your desktop. The "Start" menu will open.

Step 2

Click on "Control Panel," then "Network and Internet." A new screen will appear with five main sections and several subsections.

Step 3

Look under the "Network and Sharing Center" section at the top of the page and click on the "Connect to a Network" subsection. The "Connect to a Network" window will appear.

Step 4

Click on "All" next to "Show" at the top of this window and then click on the refresh button on the right side of the window. A list of all the wireless networks in the area will appear. The more green bars next to the network name, the better. Green bars signify the strength of the signal to the network.

Step 5

Click on one of the wireless networks listed. Select "Connect" and open your preferred Internet browser. You are now using a wireless Internet hot spot.

Tip

• A lock symbol next to a wireless network name means you must have a password to access that wireless network.

References

• Vista 4 Beginners: How to Set Up a Wireless Connection

Resources

• Tech Republic: Wi-Fi Security Tips

About the Author

Chad Buleen is a Society of Professional Journalists-award-winning newspaper journalist and magazine editor with more than 10 years experience. He is a senior magazine editor at an international children's publication. Buleen holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications with an emphasis in print journalism from Brigham Young University-Idaho.

Photo Credits

• laptop image by Du...¡an Zidar from Fotolia.com