Don't think we see this in Canada, that is home networks being used as free WIFI hotspots, at least not yet. Good to know.
I don't allow any access to my NAS from outside as it just presents another attack point. I understand why people do, just I don't.
My IOT devices are on the Guest network and it is isolated from my "production" network. Same for the laptop I use outside the house.
Great discussion, lots to consider.
In the UK it used to be an option for business customers of BT to reduce costs by agreeing to the shared bandwidth that was used with consumer accounts without asking. I've not seen it advertised lately so I assume it's not in use these days - I know that very few businesses took up the offer.
The biggest "free" WiFi system in the UK is now "the Cloud", which is now part of Sky, I've had an account with them for many years and still use it when I have to although since sky became involved the has been an increase in advertising on login screens.
The local councils are now getting "into" WIfi hotspots and we are seeing them pop up all over the place, even on Trains and even local Buses
Yes in my town all the "Town" sites have free wifi. Recreational centers, libraries, Town Hall.
Stores and shops also offer as incentive to attract shoppers. Drives me nuts, are you shopping or are you here to check facebook?
I'll only use an Open network if there is absolutely no other source. Given I have a reasonable cell plan the need rarely arises.
Is it considered a WIFI hotspots even though my router is attach with a cable to the cable companies modem/router ?
Does the using of the provided combo modem/router present any problems to my attached router?
Does the use of the provided combo / router ....
None that I'm aware of except as I listed, if you are using the same wifi channels or IP range it will cause issues. Both easily rectified, change the channels and change the IP range.
In terms of functionality NavyLCDR mentioned having access to his NAS.
Is it considered a WifI hotspot .......
Not sure how to answer this. If you leave the ISP combo unit WIFI enabled it is considered a WIFI hotspot. Now most come with security already enable so it is not an Open hotspot. You would have to follow up with your ISP to address Compumind's issue that some ISP also provide free wireless from home based routers. Who is your provider, maybe someone here already knows the answer for your specific ISP.
Same goes for the Wifi your routers will broadcast. You will have passwords to connect. So while the Wifi SSID is broadcasted there will not be Open wifi hotspots.
I guess it would be good to settle on a definition. Some people consider Wifi hotspots to mean Open WiFi networks. I don't. A hotspot in my books is a place where WiFi is available. Next is the hotspot Open (no password) or Secured (Password)
Xfinity in the US enables an open WiFi hotspot on all their ISP provided modem/WiFi combo units by default. Users must go into their Xfinity account settings and specifically disable it.
Is there any type of login to use this Xfinity open WiFi hotspot? Just thinking from a legal point of view, if someone outside your house is downloading kiddie porn and they track back to the home owners IP address who is legally responsible? Or maybe a hacker trying to get into a corporate network.
Thanks
I tend to separate WiFi services
the services that are for a specific person or group of people, I class as Private WiFi as it is not available to the general public. This is the wifi that is paid for by an individual for private use in home or business. I include guest access to WiFi in a family Home or Small Business in the private category, this assumes of course that the access is known to the home or business owner, and not something the ISP gives away from what the customer has paid for.
I class A WiFi Hotspot as a WiFi service provided by a municipal agency, Hotel, Major Business Etc, for use by employees, (for uses not related to their work), or visitors, customers Etc as there may not be any password needed or it may be in plain view.
I have no issues with using public WiFi all my portable devices have an automatic VPN with Military level encryption that turns on when I leave my Home WiFi
I would be surprised if the same IP address was used for the legitimate and the "appropriated" WiFi as this could make non owner devices visible to the owner and Vice versa, I would imagine that the "appropriated" IP addresses would be from a pool owned by Xfinity or at least a separate Segment of the private ranges
Yes your definitions work it is just I see the word hotspot all over I know it is used differently. My phone has a hotspot, Windows uses the word hotspot and there are those little cellular devices they call hotspots.
Would be interesting for an Xfinity user to run a test on IP address.
Might I ask what VPN product you use Nigel?
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