Remote work after COVID-19 is here to stay, with many organizations opting for a work-from-home or hybrid work environment. Those who are on-the-go or remote employees are termed digital nomads as they are the ones who stay a nomadic life by having an internet-reliant career.
They are the remote employees that make the most of their company’s offered benefits, like getting compensation from the workplace for availing the “best WIFI plans in Mumbai” or “WIFI connection in Delhi” for their remote work based in the city they are residing in. However, there are times that you, as a nomadic or remote employee, may tend to be away from your home and may require logging into your laptop to complete your office work. In this scenario, you look for free internet connections or WIFI connections available in the area you are currently in.
Note that knowing how to avail free WIFI from anywhere means you must practice cyber safety rules as public WIFI tends to be riddled with various risks and may compromise your privacy set-up. Here’s an overview of why cybersecurity consideration is a must while connecting with a public WIFI network.
Digital nomads on the rise
Must have heard about this saying that “not all who meander and wander get lost”, and this cannot be more true in the scenario of digital nomads. Digital nomads are basically masters of their craft who can work independently from a remote location and collaborate with the team through online meetings as and when needed.
In this push for the remote work culture, many Indian companies swirled towards the trend of hiring contract workers and freelancers. Remote hiring, hybrid working, and continual upskilling now is here to stay and will continue, particularly in the technological space.
How can digital nomads get WIFI from anywhere?
Digital nomads require WIFI as all of their work is done on the internet. A dependable and reliable internet network is the lifeblood of digital nomads because it is how they make their living. So, whether you are a globetrotting employee or a digital nomad, you cannot go where there is no WIFI. But before signing into a public WIFI there are a few things that you must know –
Be alert when using free public WIFI hotspots.
Connecting to the public WIFI connection may seem like the simplest way to access the internet connection. Trains, buses, colleges, universities, and even a few public plazas – all of them have free WIFI hotspots. But, not all of these connections are safe. Besides public WIFI connections having slower connection speeds, they may have restrictions in areas that block you constantly from visiting a particular site.
What’s the apt cybersecurity tip –
Hackers like public WIFI as these are unencrypted networks, which means the cybercriminal may potentially intercept data from devices easily. When you are connected to any public WIFI, ensure to play it safe and restrict all your online activities. Do not log in to websites that contain sensitive info. Ensure to only approach those sites with HTTPS. Consider using VPN or virtual private network to completely encrypt your browsing experience, which means making your browsing activities illegible to the 3rd parties that are lurking on the same internet network.
Make use of your phone as a WIFI hotspot.
In case you have a smartphone, you may already know how you can get access to a free internet connection. All you need to do to access a WIFI hotspot through your phone on your personal computer or laptop is turn on the personal hotspot option.
To connect with the personal hotspot on the Android device, ensure to follow the listed steps –
∙ Open your smartphone’s settings option
∙ Choose the option “Wireless and Networks”
∙ Choose the option “Tethering and Portable Hotspot”
∙ Choose the option “Portable WIFI hotspot”
∙ Select a strong passcode, then slide the bar and turn on your hotspot
For iOS devices –
∙ Open your smartphone “settings”
∙ Choose the option “personal hotspot”
∙ Choose a strong passcode and next tap on the slider “permit others to join”
These measures may differ based on your device manufacturer and model. As you may be working using your smartphone’s 3 G or 4 G internet connection, your internet may not be able to do heavy lifting like streaming or uploading large files.
Also, note that you are eating up the mobile data’s plan as well as battery life when you are using the hotspot. As a solution, you may consider using an unlimited internet plan. Also, ensure to keep your mobile device on charge to prevent a quick reduction of phone charge.
Tip – Avoid adding any unwanted visitors who may request to join your personal hotspot connection. Ensure to set a strong and unique passcode that cannot be guessed by anyone.
Use the WIFI application or hotspot database –
If you are in a new town or city and need public WIFI, knowing how you can get a free WIFI connection is as simple as downloading an application. Many of the WIFI applications are free to use with their databases formed on crowdsourcing. Mentioned here are some of the common WIFI applications that may come to your aid in a new city.
∙ WIFI passcodes and free WIFI connection from Wiman
∙ WIFI Finder
∙ NetSpot
∙ Swift WIFI
∙ WIFI Map
Conclusion
So, next time when you are in a new city like Delhi or Mumbai, opt for the best app providing a prudent WIFI connection in Delhi or Mumbai.
Tip – Once you figure out and join a public hotspot, go ahead cautiously. Just visit the URLs with HTTPS placed in front of the website, and do not go to the sites containing sensitive information. Also, ensure to use the VPN for a secure browsing experience. It also provides complete encryption.
