How to join free public wifi that's computer to computer?

There's a signal in my airport menulet labeled "free public wifi" but if I try to join it, it shows up in the airport pane of the network preference as "computer to computer" and I can't get to the internet with it.
Does anyone know what this means? or how to access this network? Thanks.

Hi Marlene
This is apparently a fake service that exploits wireless networking. You should not connect to it.
Airports - a threat to identity security
Read down to the bottom of the article for Mac security advice on how to secure your wireless networking.
Also:
http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1239991&page=1
regards roam

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Wifi certificate problem - free public wifi

Hi
I use a free public wifi access point at work. When I connect, there is a popup that states:
The certificate for this website is invalid. Tap accept to connect to this website anyway.
If I accept, I get redirected to https://1.1.1.1/ , where I have to tap accept to the terms and conditions.
On my macbook, I get the same error about the certificate, but I was able to install the certificate on the macbook, and I no longer have the problem.
I then tried to install the certificate on the iphone, by exporting it from keychain, and emailing it to my gmail imap account.
When I tap on the attachment, I get this error:
"Profile could not be validated. Profile is missing Version Number."
I use another university wifi access point, with which I have done the same procedure, with no issues.
Is there any way to modfiy the certificate, or to force the iphone to accept it?
Thanks

System Preferences > Network > (click Airport in the list on the left) > click Advanced > Airport tab, select "Free Public WiFi" in the list and click the - sign at the bottom.
If you're prompted to join that network in the future, click No.
"Free Public WiFi" is a computer-to-computer network that's automatically created by some Windows machines. It's a nuisance, courtesy of Bill.
http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2006/09/freepublicwif.html

New MacBook, Free Public Wifi Question

Hello All:
My aunt, who is in her seventies, bravely purchased a MacBook today. Leopard is loaded up. She has to wait until mid November for fiber optic to be installed in her building in NYC (no dsl available), so I looked at what Airport might find, and it seemed to find one unprotected network and then displayed, below a thin gray line (like the one that separates the list of networks from options like "Join Other Networks) the words "Free Public WiFi." Having failed to connect to what I thought was an unprotected network, I set my sights on this Free Public Wifi. It would not connect and asked for a pw. Is it true that the password for anything called "free public wifi" are those very words ? Any advice ? Does anyone know if there is a genuine free public wifi signal with a range around Penn South in NYC, on W 25th, between 8th and 9th ? Or know anything else she could try to ride the unprotected (aka the neighbor's) network ? I got an "an error occured" message from airport for that one. Thanks in advance for any responses to these many questions !
Message was edited by: jdvivre

I travel a lot and find my Macbook will connect to some open networks fine and will not connect to others. The problem is you do not know how the other end has their router set up.
It may be an unprotected network, but the user may have limited the number of connections able to connect to the network, or restricted the number of available IP addresses for that connection.
The most important thing is be very careful of any network that says "free" or "public". I have read many articles about people who will set up a false networks in an attempt to get your personal info. You most likely will be able to connect to the network, but will not have internet access. Be careful.

The Mystery Of Free Public WiFi

Almost everywhere I travel, I see a Computer-to-Computer network listed call 'Free Public Wi-Fi'. Clearly that's not what it is (oh, and I can see it now, in some hotel in the armpit of Ohio), so I guess it must be some bizarre PC phenomenon that has lots of Windows users broadcasting an ad hoc network called "Free Public Wi-Fi". So, I'm just curious... does anybody know exactly what's behind this madness?

SeaBeast,
I assume your answer is well intentioned, so thank you for trying to be helpful.
In all my time of traveling, I have not seen a genuine wi-fi network called 'Free Public Wi-Fi'. Free networks in hotels tend to have some other name. The one I am using right now is called "hhonors4", for example - it's in a Hilton hotel. The "Free Public WiFI" I am talking about appears in the Mac's list of Computer-to-Computer networks, indicating is not an wireless access point at all, but another computer, and is therefore very unlikely to be a form of wireless access.
I've done some digging around, and it seems this is some kind of attack intended to dupe people into creating a computer to computer network, thinking they are getting free Wi-Fi access. On PCs, it's harder to spot that this is not a wireless access point (I understand Windows calls these 'ad hoc' networks and uses icons to distinguish them from WAPs). Given how many of these I have been seeing, there may be a virus at work, infecting PCs in a way that has them trying to create wireless networks called 'Free Public WiFi' without their users realizing it, for what purpose and at what risk I do not know.
There's an article that talks about this at:
http://www.scmagazine.com.au/feature/3233,airports--a-threat-to-identity-securit y.aspx
It makes a big deal about airports, but I have also seen these networks in other places (like this hotel), which makes me think it is not a deliberate act of the PC owner, but rather something that results from an infection. The article is not terribly conclusive.
This is different, but related to, honeypot attacks where wireless access points are set up, often at airports, with the deliberate intention of getting IDs and other data from unaware users. More about these at:
http://www.netstumbler.com/2004/02/16/wirelesshoneypottrickery/
So, I'm still trying to figure this out, and would love some definitive information from somebody who knows, but I'm pretty sure no one should follow SeaBeast's (presumably well intentioned) advice and actually connect to one of these networks. (I suspect PC users are the ones at risk, as few people bother to code virus for the less common Mac, but that's a risky assumption.)
Oh, and by the way, if you do connect one time, just to see what happens, your Mac will remember it and 'helpfully connect' you every time it sees 'Free Public WiFi' forever more, and without telling you. To solve that problem, you need to change your Network Preferences.
I'll keep researching away, but would be delighted if anybody who already has this mystery solved could post their findings.

Time Capsule set up, how to join a existent wifi

The Time capsule was working, then I had to change my router and now I'm just able to connect through Ethernet cable.
A step by step how to set up TC to joining a the existent wifi network and work wirelessly will be highly appreciated .
Equipment:
TC 2Tb router
Mac mini
Router Linksys EA 4500

It is not good to join wireless network with the TC..
I would strongly recommend reset the TC to factory.
Set it to bridge mode and plug it by ethernet into the Linksys router.
You can either turn wireless off or leave it to auto work.. but you will be able to access by either Linksys or TC wireless or ethernet.

How to join two crosstabs such that they appear as one?

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I set the wrong case .my question has been answered..
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Edited by: Richard 1982 on 2009-12-27 下午9:55

Dificulty joining free public wi-fi

Sometimes it takes forever for my ipad to connect to free wi-fi networks in places like airports. Is there anything I can do to speed up the process? I show that I am connected to the right network, I have good signal strength, but cannot open pages in Safari or access email.

Of course, but this was a free one and it took forever - ok, like 20 minutes - before I could finally accessa web page. I had to reboot, etc. Once it finally connected - no sweat; it just took forever.

How can I change the name that my computer/iTunes assigned to my device?

When I hooked up my new 4s to my desktop, it asked if I wanted to start with a new device. I answered yes and the device was assigned a default name based on the name of the computer (which wasn't originally mine) so now iTunes recognizes the device as belonging to some dead guy I never met. Also the same first name as an ex-bf. Call me weird but this bothers me. How can I change the name of the device?

Select the device when it is connected to iTunes. Click in the device name on the summary tab. Enter what you want.
tt2

HT2712 How do I delete wireless networks that my computer keeps detecting?

My iMac keeps detecting other wireless networks in the neighborhood which slows down or prevents it from connecting to my wireless network. Is there a way to block those other networks?

cortiz58 wrote:
My iMac keeps detecting other wireless networks in the neighborhood
Which is normal.
........which slows down or prevents it from connecting to my wireless network.
I'm not sure that it does. What makes you say that? It might be that the others are on the same wireless channel as yours with a very strong signal and are interfering?

IPad disconnecting from home and public wifi

My iPad when being used at home or using a free/public wifi will disconnect during use. Anyone know what can help, I'm getting charged data usage because I don't catch that it keeps getting disconnected.

You can turn off your cellular connection in settings.
As far as wifi is concerned, might need to try some things.
Make sure IOS is updated to latest version
(How to update your iOS device
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4623)
Reset Network Settings
Go to settings/general/reset/reset network settings. Then try to connect to network.
If its your home router, then reboot router by unplugging for 5-10min. (do this while you're resetting network settings).
If problem persists, then check for firmware updates on your router.(you check router manufacturer support website for downloads and instructions).

New iPhones automatically connecting to public wifi

hi .. the family has 3 new devices (iPhone 5S) running 7.0.4 all connected to my Apple ID
I set up the iPhone in a bar in London then I connected it to a different wifi network in a nearby restaurant .. neither wifi spots required a password
but I see the other two devices the next day automatically connected to these wifi networks without me doing anything - what a great feature !
have iPhones always been able to do this ? did it recognise my Apple ID and assumed I would want to connect to wifi on the other 2 new devices ?
I have been using iPhones since 2008 and never before witnessed this .. is this a new feature or a bit of luck ?

completely agree ..
of course it was and I think even an apple novice would know this ..
due to apple products significantly benefiting my businesses over the last two decades I have in some ways become a bit of an apple nerd, and when I notice helpful improvements in the operating system (particularly business related) i research them..
this is one of the rare occasions where I cannot get any official clarification as to what apple did in ios7 to make 'joining trusted public wifi spots easier'
1) every year I buy a bundle of new iPhones for work and family and noticed this time they all automatically connected to known networks faster and more consistently than in previous years;
2) google this topic and lots of sites say the same thing i.e. iOS 7 improved something with connecting to "trusted" wifi spots;
3) i asked in store and staff confirmed this but had no further details;
4) scan all Apple's official pages and no more detail !
5) SO ARE THERE ANY NERDS OUT THERE THAT CAN PUT MY MIND AT EASE
HOW DID ISO7 CHANGE THE WAY DEVICES JOIN TRUSTED WIFI NETWORKS ??? APPLE ARE NORMALLY PROUD TO TO HIGHLIGHT AND EXPLAIN IMPROVEMENTS
WAS IT PURELY AN IOS7 SOFTWARE IMPROVEMENT OR DOES HAVING THE LATEST HARDWARE (5S & AIR) HELP ?!

Previously succesful public wifi connection no longer works for Ipod Touch?

I work at a small airport in canada. Free public wifi is available via an Aliant Hotspot. I've used my Laptop on many occasions there. When i purchased my Ipod touch, 4th generation, it worked fine too. Until recently. Now, the touch recognizes that the network is there. it connects, or so it appears, but the welcome page will not load to allow me access to the interent. Please help me! Normally, as soon as i choose my hotspot network, the welcome page comes up, allows me to select my language.... legal agreements... another page as a welcome, and then full access the internet.... now nothing.
I'd be so grateful for some help!

Diane,
You're very welcome, I know that is some kind frustrating when a problem appears and it's quite difficult to find the solution.
So let's trying with this:
Based on your feedback it seems that the iPod is receiving correct data from the router, what we can try here is the following:
Connect the iPod touch into the network, and copy the network data (IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, DNS) into a piece of paper, then in the iPod Options of the network, there must be a button indicating DHCP, now press a button that must say Manually and the network data will be erased, then you must capture the information that you had copied in the paper.
When you finish, wait a couple of seconds and then do a test.
Here I have a question, you said that the iPod worked fine until recently, so another tip is try to connect your iPod to another network, this may discard that the problem with your iPod could be a hardware problem.
But first try with the insertion of the data manually.
We keep in touch!,
:: Appletoch ::

Can't connect to free pubic wifi.

For some reason my imac won't connect to free public wifi.
I have no problem jumping on other open signals and use an airport extreme at home without problem.
I have it set to configure IPv4 using DHCP and have the standard extra server numbers. I've turned off IPv6.
Is there something wrong with my network settings that is preventing me from getting on the public wifi?

I'm referring to one of the many free public wifi areas in NYC. For instance, I can be in Bryant Park in midtown and my partner can get on the internet but not me!
This is what Bryant Park tells me about using their wifi:
To use the Wireless Network, you will need a laptop or handheld device with an 802.11b/g compatible wireless card or built in 802.11b/g wireless capability.
Configure your software
1. Configure your Wireless card to the following:
Network name/SSID – bryantpark.org
Mode – Infrastructure
Authentication – Open
Encryption/WEP – Disabled
2. Configure your Network settings to:
All TCP/IP options – DHCP or Auto
3. Configure your Web Browser so it is NOT set to use a proxy server
Connect to the network
1. Launch your web browser. The Bryant Park Wireless Network portal will appear.
2. Read the Terms of Service, then click “I Agree” if you choose to proceed.
3. Your Internet home page or the page you requested will load.
4. Start surfing!

Content filtering for Public WiFi

About 2 years ago, we set up free public wifi for our county park/zoo (we're government) and are using OpenDNS Umbrella services. During the summer months, we have about 5k visitors/day, and during peak days, about 10k visitors/day. We only really need a content filter for these people because it's a totally different pipe from our business network. The OpenDNS solution works good for us, but it gets a little pricey because they charge per AP (we're running Ruckus AP's if anyone's curious).
The cost really hasn't really been an issue, but we're adding another 40 AP's for a different campus (Healthcare setting, residents) and the price per AP will start to add up.
Anyone have suggestions for any other solutions that might work in this scenario?
This topic first appeared in the Spiceworks Community

chiz1,
Content filtering can be very important. You can limit certain services with our FamilyBase service http://vz.to/MYAZU9 What type of services/content were you looking to filter?
LindseyT_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

Issue when travelling Europe and connecting to public WiFi networks

I often have an issue when travelling in Europe and go to an Internet café with my iPhone.
I enter all the info and in wifi settings the network is ticked to say connected. The wifi icon is also visible in menu bar but whenever I try to connect I get a message that page is not available or to check settings.
Can't see anything wrong and settings are as they normal are when connecting to wifi at home in UK.
I also get this when connecting to free public wifi even when it requires no password
Any ideas why this may be? Travelling this weekend and am sure this will be an issue whilst away so would like to get to bottom of it.
Message was edited by: RDH

Thanks for the suggestion but that is not practical once I arrive to Spain.
Will not be taking a Mac to restore from if there is an issue.
Restore network settings is worth looking at but full restore of iPhone is out of the question. Just wondered if this is a known issue with a simple fix.
All seems a bit like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut ;-)

How to join free public wifi that's computer to computer?

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