Pros and Cons of Using a Free Internet Connection

Public Wi-Fi is a facility that is offered by most of the stores and restaurants to serve their customers better. These open wireless networks have gained so much popularity that people usually expect such restaurants and shops to provide them with open networks so that they can easily connect their smartphones and laptops to the internet. However, as beneficial as it sounds, an open wireless network can prove to be harmful to you as well.

It is therefore advisable to use an internet service that is protected by a password and comes with a proper security suite. Just as Spectrum Internet; it is one of the best and most economical services in the United States that offers high-speed internet with total internet protection suite. You can easily compare Spectrum internet prices with other providers and choose a plan that perfectly blends with your requirements. In addition to this, Charter Spectrum also gives you free access to numerous Wi-Fi hotspots, which are available throughout the nation. So, without further ado, let us discuss the pros and cons of using public Wi-Fi.

There are several advantages and disadvantages of using public Wi-Fi.

Advantages

It is Free

Most Wi-Fi networks at public places are free; hence, anybody can use them. This means that you will be able to save your internet costs as well as monthly mobile data expenses. In addition to this, free Wi-Fi facilities create a working environment where you can work, have coffee or tea, and relax at the same time.

Public Wi-Fi Connections Often Promote Productivity

The world is moving at a faster pace and people have lesser time to engage in activities they once had a lot of time for. The industry is competitive and the clock is ticking. In such a time, people often choose restaurants and cafes with internet connections to work or have business meetings so that no time is wasted. Sometimes, when people are traveling, they book hotels solely based on good connections so that their vacation can become as productive as possible. Similarly, a man or a woman, like old times does not feel awkward in not being accompanied by a companion to public places and can go alone for food, shopping, etc. knowing that he or she will be connected with the world because of the public Wi-Fi.

Helps during Emergency or Crisis

No event or situation in life can be crisis-proof. Anything can occur, at any time. These days, being connected to your loved ones is the key to a secure life. If God forbid, one gets trapped in an uncanny and unpleasant situation, he/she can be helped when connected to the internet at a public place.

Acts As a Lifesaver for Students

These days all universities have Wi-Fi networks open to students and guests both because such premises want the students to benefit most from a public set network around the area where research takes place. Usually, cafés and other places where the target audience is the student body, offer public Wi-Fi or discount on most plans.

Disadvantages

Cannot Always Be Trusted

Individuals cannot rely solely on the existence of public Wi-Fi because if everyone started trusting work to be completed because if free Wi-Fi in public places, the traffic load for the networks would be too much to handle and will crash, leaving upset users, unfinished work and potential loss on unsaved data.

Doesn’t Provide Quality Speed

Something that’s free always has a catch. As they say, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. The same applies to free Wi-Fi in public places. Usually, it’s very slow as compared to one’s personal mobile internet connection. This causes frustration and consumes excessive time. Taking forever for a page to load that usually loads in split seconds, this act is severely disliked by users.

Security Is Compromised

If your IP address is public that means that you’re potentially open to a lot of internet-based threats such as malware, viruses, hacking, Trojan, etc. Using public Wi-Fi allows cyber thieves to commit virtual crimes and harm internet users.

Using public Wi-Fi has its pros and cons like every other technological advancement that comes with advantages and disadvantages both. It should be noted that free Wi-Fi in public places can always be availed if slow speed and traffic crashing isn’t a mighty issue. As for security, one can download anti-virus software and update the gadget’s settings to prevent virtual hackers from accessing one’s system.