What is a Hotspot? 

A hotspot is now a location where individuals may go to use their mobile device, such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, to access the internet wirelessly. Additionally, a hotspot may be both public and private.

Fig 1: Hotspot

Public Hotspot

An example of a public hotspot location would be a shop. Nowadays, it is fairly usual for stores to have a hotspot so that their customers can access the internet via a wireless device. Other typical public hotspots include establishments like hotels, airports, and even inside of aircraft, or perhaps even inside of a starship?

However, a Wi-Fi router or wireless access point that is connected to an internet service provider is used to generate hotspots. Additionally, Wi-Fi signals are disseminated by routers and access points so that anyone nearby can connect and use the internet. And just like any other Wi-Fi network, you would connect to these hotspots. If there is a password, you would choose the network ID or SSID and enter it. Now, some public hotspots are accessible without a password, while others require one. Therefore, if the hotspot needs a password, you must learn what it is. Additionally, not all public hotspots are free; some require payment. These are illustrations of public hotspots.

Private Hotspot

Now consider your home as an example of a private hotspot. Now, the majority of individuals who have an internet connection at home have a Wi-Fi router that broadcasts a wireless signal, enabling everyone in the house, including family members and friends, to access the internet. Another illustration of a private hotspot is tethering, which your smartphone may set up. Now, there may frequently be circumstances where you must use your laptop or tablet to access the internet while you are away from home.

You can also construct a hotspot on your smartphone if there aren't any nearby public hotspots. Cellular networks are used by smartphones to access the internet, and you may turn your smartphone into a wireless access point so that it can connect to the internet and share it with other devices in your home. Now, the majority of cellphones would have the ability to instantly create a hotspot. Once the hotspot is activated, your phone will broadcast a Wi-Fi signal, much like a Wi-Fi router or access point, allowing neighboring devices to connect to it and use the smartphone's cellular network to access the internet. And using a mobile hotspot is another way to access the internet.

A portable gadget known as a mobile hotspot connects wireless devices to the internet via cellular networks. Therefore, wireless devices can connect to a mobile hotspot and access the internet if they are within 30 feet of it. There are now two types of mobile hotspots. As you can see, they will either be a standalone device, or as I previously mentioned, they might potentially be a function on your smartphone. Additionally, mobile hotspots are offered by cellular service providers like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Returning to public hotspots, you should be aware that because they are open to the general public, there are some security issues to be aware of. This implies that virtually anyone can connect to them, which means you'll be sharing that connection with other users, some of whom may be hackers.

Precautions to connect a public hotspot

In order to avoid security issues, you should take several steps before connecting to a public hotspot. Therefore, you should disable folder sharing or at the very least password-protect your shared folders if you have any folders that are shared. Installing an antivirus application is another smart move. Make sure your firewall is turned on if you have one. Additionally, setting up a VPN on your smartphone is a smart move. Because a VPN encrypts data as it travels between your device and the internet, it will stop hackers from stealing your information. Therefore, when using a VPN, any activity you perform when connected to a public hotspot, such as viewing websites or transferring files, the data is encrypted and kept private. Just keep in mind, folks, that a hotspot is a real, physical place. Hardware is not a hotspot. A hotspot is not a router, access point, mobile phone, mobile hotspot, coffee pot that spontaneously catches fire, or even a mobile hotspot. An area known as a hotspot allows you to use a wireless device to access the internet there.