My niece brought her notebook computer here about a year ago and was somehow picking up a internet signal from somewhere in the apartment complex my parents live in and they had no computer themselves? Thanks.We bought a new laptop today. Would like to bring it to the beach with us for internet access. However, the place we rent has no internet. The laptop has Wi-Fi and I know that you can purchase wireless routers. There are many kinds, N routers, G routers, etc. Have no clue what the difference is. And there are Belkin, Linksys, and Netgear routers. I thought there was a computer section on here but didn't see it. Anyway, is there any way we can pick up internet with just a router from the townhouse we rent? My niece brought her notebook computer here about a year ago and was somehow picking up a internet signal from somewhere in the apartment complex my parents live in and they had no computer themselves? Thanks.
My niece brought her notebook computer here about a year ago and was somehow picking up a internet signal from somewhere in the apartment complex my parents live in and they had no computer themselves? Thanks.Replies
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Beach Fanatic
If there's not an internet connection (cable or DSL) in the rental, then the router won't do you any good. It just broadcasts the internet signal so that the wireless radio in your laptop can pick it up. It wouldn't be at all surprising if a neighboring house or condo had an unsecured wireless connection that you could use. There are also a lot of public wireless sites along 30A. Coffee shops and more. Do a forum search, there has been a new thread on this almost every year.
Admin
Listing of places in SoWal with free wireless:
SoWal Spots for free WiFi - wireless internet | SoWal.com - Guide For The Beaches Of South Walton & Scenic 30A
SoWal Spots for free WiFi - wireless internet | SoWal.com - Guide For The Beaches Of South Walton & Scenic 30A
SoWal InsiderAuthor
If there's not an internet connection (cable or DSL) in the rental, then the router won't do you any good. It just broadcasts the internet signal so that the wireless radio in your laptop can pick it up. It wouldn't be at all surprising if a neighboring house or condo had an unsecured wireless connection that you could use. There are also a lot of public wireless sites along 30A. Coffee shops and more. Do a forum search, there has been a new thread on this almost every year.
I thought that was the case. They have cable or satellite for tv but no internet. We have cable in our home here and could use it easily with a router here. I knew there had been questions about this on here but I tried doing a forum search and came up with nothing mentioning it, probably because I did not know really what to search for. Thanks.
SoWal InsiderAuthor
Got our new laptop operating via our wireless router. Nice to take it anywhere in the house. Hope our other computer will operate ok with this running off the wireless.
Beach Lover
Got our new laptop operating via our wireless router. Nice to take it anywhere in the house. Hope our other computer will operate ok with this running off the wireless.
It will work fine.
SoWal InsiderAuthor
Found out that McDonalds offers free Wi-Fi. It was such a good signal we accessed it outside parked in their parking lot. One more place at the beach where we can have free access, assuming this is available at all McDonalds here in the U.S.!
Beach Fanatic
Found out that McDonalds offers free Wi-Fi. It was such a good signal we accessed it outside parked in their parking lot. One more place at the beach where we can have free access, assuming this is available at all McDonalds here in the U.S.!
You won't need to drive all the way to McD's. There are plenty of spots right on 30A. Have a look at Kurt's list.
SoWal InsiderAuthor
You won't need to drive all the way to McD's. There are plenty of spots right on 30A. Have a look at Kurt's list.
I did look. I am printing that off to take along with us also.
beats on hood
Lady D, the cops in our town wardrive all the time. They turn on their laptops, drive slowly until their laptops show an unsecured wireless network, and park. I am not suggesting that you do this because it is illegal. I would never do this because I have wireless networks wherever I need them, plus I don't want to go to jail.
There are wardriving maps on the Internet. The funniest location I've found is the GT President's House since, well, the President of the Georgia Institute of Technology should have his wireless network secured. Lots of frats at GT have unsecured wireless networks.
Just sayin'.
There are wardriving maps on the Internet. The funniest location I've found is the GT President's House since, well, the President of the Georgia Institute of Technology should have his wireless network secured. Lots of frats at GT have unsecured wireless networks.
Just sayin'.
SoWal InsiderAuthor
Lady D, the cops in our town wardrive all the time. They turn on their laptops, drive slowly until their laptops show an unsecured wireless network, and park. I am not suggesting that you do this because it is illegal. I would never do this because I have wireless networks wherever I need them, plus I don't want to go to jail.
There are wardriving maps on the Internet. The funniest location I've found is the GT President's House since, well, the President of the Georgia Institute of Technology should have his wireless network secured. Lots of frats at GT have unsecured wireless networks.
Just sayin'.
Don't worry. Wherever we go with our laptop it will be inside whichever place offers free Wi-Fi. Like Panera Bread, McDonalds, etc. We will go inside and eat and use it inside. Don't see how they could prove anyone is using someone else's free wireless anyway from inside a place they are staying.
Beach Fanatic
Lady D, the cops in our town wardrive all the time. They turn on their laptops, drive slowly until their laptops show an unsecured wireless network, and park. I am not suggesting that you do this because it is illegal. I would never do this because I have wireless networks wherever I need them, plus I don't want to go to jail.
There are wardriving maps on the Internet. The funniest location I've found is the GT President's House since, well, the President of the Georgia Institute of Technology should have his wireless network secured. Lots of frats at GT have unsecured wireless networks.
Just sayin'.
Wardriving is not illegal. The burden of denial of accessibility is on the network owner. If they don't set security, they are the ones responsible for allowing access. Some localities have more stringent network access laws, but that is the exception not the rule. ;-)
SoWal Expert
Don't worry. Wherever we go with our laptop it will be inside whichever place offers free Wi-Fi. Like Panera Bread, McDonalds, etc. We will go inside and eat and use it inside. Don't see how they could prove anyone is using someone else's free wireless anyway from inside a place they are staying.Most of the casual Sowal restaurants and coffee/war bars have wi-fi now, no need to go to a chain or off of 30-a.
SoWal Insider
Shades at the Loop definitely has free WiFi. You could walk there from Inlet Beach. Enjoy your time at the beach! 
SoWal InsiderAuthor
Thanks for the suggestion Sheila. Didn't think about Shades on the Loop. I hope to enjoy our time at the beach but of course I am coming down there sick, not the first time.
beats on hood
Wardriving is not illegal. The burden of denial of accessibility is on the network owner. If they don't set security, they are the ones responsible for allowing access. Some localities have more stringent network access laws, but that is the exception not the rule. ;-)I did not know that. Thanks.
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