Editing Wi-Fi hotspot (section)

===Free hotspots===
[[File:CHE — ZH — Zürich (public WiFi Hotspot) Mattes 2022-07-29.jpg|thumb|Public Wi-Fi hotspot in [[Zürich]]]]
According to statista.com, in the year 2022, there are approximately 550 million free Wi-Fi hotspots around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global public Wi-Fi hotspots 2016-2022 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/677108/global-public-wi-fi-hotspots/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=Statista}}</ref>
The [[National Security Agency|U.S. NSA]] warns against connecting to free public Wi-Fi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NSA Issues Guidance on Securing Wireless Devices in Public Settings |url=http://www.nsa.gov/Press-Room/News-Highlights/Article/Article/2711968/nsa-issues-guidance-on-securing-wireless-devices-in-public-settings/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=National Security Agency/Central Security Service |language=en-US}}</ref>

Free hotspots operate in two ways:
* Using an open public network is the easiest way to create a free hotspot. All that is needed is a Wi-Fi router. Similarly, when users of private wireless routers turn off their authentication requirements, opening their connection, intentionally or not, they permit [[Piggybacking (Internet access)|piggybacking]] (sharing) by anyone in range.<ref>Tips for Using Public Wi-Fi Networks. (2014). Retrieved from https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0014-tips-using-public-wi-fi-networks</ref>
* Closed public networks use a HotSpot Management System to control access to hotspots. This software runs on the router itself or an external computer allowing operators to authorize only specific users to access the Internet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/open-vs-closed-network/21242|title=What is Open vs Closed Network|website=igi-global.com|access-date=2019-04-03}}</ref> Providers of such hotspots often associate the free access with a menu, membership, or purchase limit. Operators may also limit each user's available [[Bandwidth (computing)|bandwidth]] (upload and download speed) to ensure that everyone gets a good quality service. Often this is done through [[service-level agreement]]s.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}