Hearing the word “free” never fails to send people into action. That’s why businesses that offer free WiFi are so famous. But you can’t possibly keep visiting these places whenever you need internet. So, searching for ways to get a free WiFi box is understandable.
Of course, you’ll have to pay for the monthly internet subscription. But there are ways to work around this issue as well, such as sharing WiFi with others.
However, is it worth the security and other risks? If you want answers to such questions, you’ve landed in the right place.
How To Get Free Internet Without Buying a Router?
While this discussion is about getting a free WiFi box, we’ll get to it in a minute. But for now, let’s see how you can get free internet without having to worry about a router. In some cases, you don’t even have to pay anything. However, each option has its risks, so tread carefully.
- Public WiFi: As mentioned earlier, free WiFi in public places is hard to resist. If you want to use the internet for free, you can search for businesses that offer guest WiFi. Or you can go to public libraries, transport, and other spots with a guest WiFi network. But remember, public WiFi poses security risks.
- Phone WiFi Hotspot: If you don’t want to buy a separate router, you can use your phone’s internet. Just turn on the mobile hotspot in your settings and connect the other device through its WiFi. But of course, you’ll have to pay for the internet service.
- Ask your neighbors: Having good relations with your neighbors sometimes pays off more than you think. Ask eligible households if you can share their network. But never try to hack into it because they might put you in a legal mess if they find out. Besides, the security risks won’t disappear here either.
How To Get a Free WiFi Box?
Now that you know the three ways to get free WiFi without a router, let’s explore the other option. Because as you saw, the risks that come with these options might not be worth the convenience and low cost.
However, there’s rarely an option where you don’t have to pay a penny. Even if you manage to get a free router, you’ll still have to pay for the monthly subscription. With that said, here’s how to get a free WiFi box.
Choose an Internet Service Provider That Gives a Free WiFi Box
The first option for a free WiFi box is to choose the right internet service provider. Some companies provide free WiFi or free equipment when you enquire about an internet plan. But you might have to give the router back when you no longer want their subscription.
Moreover, such offers sometimes have hidden fees or long contracts. So, if you choose this option, make sure to read everything carefully.
But since nothing comes without risks, here’s what you need to know. These free WiFi routers are usually old ones that internet providers reuse. So they might have a basic level of security. This will only save you from the most common threats.
If you’re only looking for internet access at home, then this might not bother you much.
However, offices and other workplaces are better off buying a router with more robust security and capabilities.
Additionally, when the company gives you a router, they’ll be the ones in control. Every person has different needs. But with these routers, you might have to make do with what the ISP has set up for you.
Old and Refurbished Routers Are Cheaper Than New Ones
If a router goes through a slight damage, the manufacturer may renew it. Then, they check for any remaining issues. If everything works smoothly, they resell the router. These are refurbished routers.
Now, because these aren’t new, they’re fairly cheap. So you’ll be able to save some money there.
But they won’t be entirely free. Moreover, you have to make sure that it hasn’t been through the hands of a local, third-party repairer. They might not have checked the router, so it’s a risk. In this case, there’s no guarantee that the router will stay reliable.
On the other hand, you can use an old router if you don’t want to make an investment. It may be your WiFi router, or you can borrow it from friends and family.
But again, these routers may not have the latest security features. And since they’re old, they won’t be able to provide the required WiFi speed. After all, what’s the point of saving money if you have to deal with slow speeds?
You might also have to face difficulty when streaming videos or attending online meetings. That’s because their performance won’t be as good as new routers.
Install Free Apps To Turn Your Device Into a WiFi Hotspot
The last option to get free WiFi anywhere you go is to turn your device into one. There are various free apps available that allow you to turn your mobile device or computer into a WiFi hotspot.
But there’s a catch. These apps are not always reliable, and sometimes, they pretend to be trustworthy just so they can steal your data.
The good news is there are some options that are genuinely good. The first one is Connectify. With this app, you can share your device’s internet with other devices. Of course, mobile hotspots can easily achieve this. But what about computers? That’s what Connectify helps you with.
It even lets you give your hotspot a personal name and password. Or create a guest network out of it. But the problem is its free version has very limited features. If you want all the perks, you’ll have to spend a lot of money.
So, in this case, you’re better off using Baidu WiFi Hotspot. It not only allows you to share the internet, but you can also share files with connected devices.
Lastly, you have the option to use MyPublicWiFi, which offers even more advanced features than Baidu while being free!
You can restrict access to protect your devices and data. Moreover, saving bandwidth is possible since you can disallow Internet services that take up too much. Additionally, you can see which URLs people visit to keep them and yourself safe from trouble.
How To Save Money on WiFi Router Installation?
By now, it must be clear to you that only a handful of options allow for a free WiFi box. Some ISPs provide free devices with their internet package, but then you lose control over your router. A refurbished or old router would be a cheaper option. Or you can even turn your computer or mobile device into a WiFi hotspot.
The best alternative is to enjoy WiFi at places that offer a free internet connection to their customers. If you want to employ such a solution in your business, check out Beambox. It’s a WiFi marketing platform that helps you scale your marketing activities and secure your network.
