For better or worse, our everyday lives are powered by the internet. Having a quick, simple, and dependable Wi-Fi connection is a must: when out and about, how to get free internet wherever you go is a frequent question. With this in mind, we thought we’d put together four top tips to help readers out.

1. Personal Wi-Fi Hotspots

Nowadays most people use a smartphone, and the personal Wi-Fi hotspot tool is one of its most useful and game-changing functions. You’ll simply need to go onto your personal hotspot settings, via connection settings, and from there click “set up” or “enable” hotspot connection. Once you’ve done this, your phone will essentially be a Wi-Fi router now. Just be sure it has decent WPA security and that you use a strong password — because others will be able to discover your phone as well.

2. Public Wi-Fi

Most public venues nowadays have free public Wi-Fi. Good options are: libraries, museums & galleries, cafes, malls, and transport stations. Their connection speeds will vary from great to maddeningly awful — in general, the first two will be your best bet.

If you’re not having much luck, you can also try finding “hidden” networks. Businesses and individuals often try securing their Wi-Fi by hiding their SSID. But with a bit of digging, these can be discovered too. Just be aware that this is a legal grey area — hidden networks are after all, private. Ultimately, you should be aware of the risks of Wi-Fi that isn’t your own — and ensure you have adequate protection.

Here at Trend Micro, we have the perfect tool to secure your network connection: Trend Micro VPN. Available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, VPN Proxy One Pro gives users unlimited high-speed connections and the ability to access any content online — utilizing the resources, servers, and research from one of the global leading cybersecurity companies. Click the link above to learn more.

3. Wi-Fi Apps

Many consumers swear by Wi-Fi locator apps. These apps are designed to seek out free Wi-Fi of certain geographical proximity. Together they have collated information on hundreds of millions of Wi-Fi hotspots — many of these apps also include credentials alongside the hotspot location. Popular options include Instabridge and Wifi Map.

4. Portable Wi-Fi Routers

A portable Wi-Fi router is much like a home router — but rather than a cable, it uses either 3G or 4G. Most devices are small, lightweight, and generally cheap. On the other hand, the connections they offer can hardly be said to be impressive. For a fixed-router level of connection, you’ll be paying a lot more. Lastly, while having your own portable router is safer than connecting to public hotspots, you’ll still need to ensure its security with WPA protection and a strong password.

We hope this article has been a good read, folks. As always, if it’s been of use and/or interest to you, please do SHARE it with family and friends to help keep the online community secure and protected.