You can now configure your desktop PC as a virtual WiFi router if it supports wireless connections, for instance by having a wireless network interface controller installed.

Probably the best option to configure the system to become a virtual wireless router is with the help of third party programs like Virtual WiFi Router or Virtual Router.

Virtual Router is a free software that is compatible with Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2. It uses the operating system’s Wireless Hosted Network feature to turn the computer into a WiFi hotspot.

Virtual Router is a free, open source software based router for PCs running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2. Using Virtual Router, users can wirelessly share any internet connection (Wifi, LAN, Cable Modem, Dial-up, Cellular, etc.) with any Wifi device (Laptop, Smart Phone, iPod Touch, iPhone, Android Phone, Zune, Netbook, wireless printer, etc.) These devices connect to Virtual Router just like any other access point, and the connection is completely secured using WPA2 (the most secure wireless encryption.)

When you start the program for the first time you are asked to configure the new virtual router. You have to pick a name, password and select the shared wired connection for Internet access.

The program uses WPA2 encryption by default with no option to turn that off. This could be a problem if you need to operate devices that do not support the security standard. Then again, you might want to consider upgrading those devices as they reduce the network’s overall security. You can download Virtual Router from the project’s Codeplex website. Some of the supported devices are listed here on the product homepage.

Virtual Wi-Fi Router is the second program that can be used to turn a wired computer system into a wireless hotspot.

You need to configure the virtual router on first run by clicking on Configure and selecting a Wi-Fi name and password after selecting the wired Internet connection of the computer.

All that’s left to do then is to start the virtual wireless connection to allow other devices to use it to connect to the Internet.

The program is also only compatible with Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and newer systems. It furthermore appears to need the Microsoft .Net Framework that ships with the operating system.

Both programs are free to use even for non tech-savvy users. There is not a lot to configure and provided that the setup is supported by the operating system it should be up and running in less than a minute.

What exactly is Wi-Fi? We’ve heard the term so often, but very few know what it actually means. It is a means of accessing the internet through signals that travel through air, or wireless signals, which are transmitted to the device that supports Wi-Fi connectivity from a Wi-Fi router, which in turn is physically connected to the internet using a wire. Thus the router transmits, or “routes” signals all around it, usually limited to a particular radius, which depends on the brand of the router. Any device with Wi-Fi capability can access the internet by receiving and transmitting these signals. Thus Wi-Fi is a very user-friendly option, and has been implemented successfully at places all around the world, like airports, coffee lounges, restaurants, schools, colleges, universities, railway stations and hotels. These places, usually called “hotspots”, are covered by routers that provide internet access.

via http://xkcd.com/416/

In general, because the internet does not come free to anyone, Wi-Fi routers are password-protected, and access to internet is restricted to authorized people. Restricted access is also in force to prevent illegal activities from taking place, and to prevent abuse of the internet. Thus airports, train terminals, and all other places that provide Wi-Fi give out the username and password that enables the user to log on to the Wi-Fi network, for a price. Thus you buy internet, but unlike in cyber cafes, you get to sit wherever you like, and you need your own device that has Wi-Fi capability. So don’t be surprised if you go to a place that has “This place is a hotspot” or “Wi-Fi provided here” signs written, and when you turn on your device’s Wi-Fi and open up a browser, you see a page asking for a username and a password, or just the password, in some cases. You either need to purchase it for a fixed time, or ask for permission, as many places provide free Wi-Fi for employees, their families, and such. Now while using Wi-Fi at a place that you frequent is an easy process, the real hassle begins when you travel, and need to be connected to the internet constantly. Do not worry because free Wi-Fi is here!

Yes, you heard it right! Free Wi-Fi! How? You ask. Well not everyone sells internet, many provide it for free within a limited distance! There are many airports around the world that offer free Wi-Fi. Many restaurant chains like McDonalds and Starbucks offer free Wi-Fi access at multiple store locations across the world. All you need to do is ask, or check out the website of the particular store that is located in the place you are going to travel. Not just these, many bus companies, hotels, and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi as well. The best way to search for free Wi-Fi would be to search for it. Just turn on the Wi-Fi of your phone or laptop, and in most cases it begins to do an automatic search for Wi-Fi networks in the vicinity. Most likely you will see a list of three or four Wi-Fi networks that have been detected by your device. Now just try out each of them. Most times you can make out the provider by looking at the name of the network. For instance if you are sitting in a McDonalds restaurant, and if your network scan displays a result called “McD”, then you can be pretty sure it belongs to the store.

In addition, if you are using a laptop, you can even check for the signal strength of the available Wi-Fi networks in the area and thus choose the strongest one. Laptops are the easiest way to find free Wi-Fi, as they are made for connectivity and the hardware used is very effective in searching for Wi-Fi networks. If you are using a cell phone, then your work may be made easier because many phones now come with pre-installed applications, or apps that search for Wi-Fi networks and even in the absence of Wi-Fi signals can display the locations of free Wi-Fi hotspots in the location that you are present in. Another way you can look for free Wi-Fi is by going to different places like coffee shops, airports, hotels, and restaurants. Many places offer free Wi-Fi so that customers do not miss important assignments, and in a way, also make sure that they will come back, because the service is good. Thus you can find free Wi-Fi in many ways.

However, if you are too lazy to do all the scanning and all the traveling, do not worry. There are just the right tools that will do it for you. Websites, such as wififreespot.com offer a detailed and comprehensive listing of free Wi-Fi hotspots all over the world. They even list by state and by region. Another great option is Wefi, a free application for Windows that uses data given by users and creates databases of free Wi-Fi hotspots, and gives you all the details of the available Wi-Fi networks once downloaded and activated. Similar applications exist for smart phones, and with a little searching in your phone’s app store, you can find something very useful. So happy Wi-Fiing!

FON allows people to buy a wireless router from them for €30. They then share their WiFi with other Fon users and gain access to other Fon users’ connections.

Whilst many FON users are in residential areas, a few exist in public and commercial ones; there are dozens in Central London. This may rise as BT now integrates FON in their ‘Home Hub’ routers. Neuf Cegetel made a similar move.

They run a scheme which allows their users to profit. They can charge non-FON users a nominal fee to use their WiFi, so it could be extremely profitable in a central location!

La Fonera, the name of their router, transmits two SSIDs. One is encrypted, for your own private use, and one is open, for others to connect to.

If you’re interested, leave a comment to that effect and I can send you a promocode to get a €10 discount on the router.