You’d Have To Be Crazy To Pay For The Internet When You Can Get It For FREE!

Jan. 10, 2010 - PRLog -- I know most of you are probably thinking that this must be some kind of scam, or that it’s illegal. But the truth is…most people are paying for Internet access simply because they don’t realize that they ‘might’ be able to get it for free. Notice I said, ‘might.’ That’s because some of you won’t be able to get it for free. For some, there just isn’t a free AP in the area. But that’s the exception, not the rule.

The last time I paid for Internet access was in 2003. Like everyone else, I’d been paying out $500+ a year since the late 90s for broadband Internet service. Then, I got an idea. I’ve always been a shortwave radio nut. I built my first shortwave radio from a Heath kit in the fourth grade. The thing about radio is…the reception is only as good as the antenna connected to it. Even a crummy shortwave radio will bring in long distance stations if it’s got a super antenna.

That got me to thinking…WIFI, (wireless Internet) is really just a fancy shortwave radio. What would happen if I hooked up a high-gain, unidirectional antenna to it? As soon as I did, I found my first free AP, (access point) the local library about three blocks away. And I’ve never paid for an Internet connection since.

The library was my first free AP, but it wasn’t my last. Over the years, I’ve found many many more. Of course, I found dozens of ‘open’ APs while I was at it. These (unencrypted) APs are easily logged onto, but few are meant to be free.

Someone’s always asking me, “What’s the difference between a free, and an ‘open’ or unencrypted AP?” Well, I’m not a lawyer, so this is just my layman’s view, but to me, if a business or government, states…on a sign for instance, that they are providing free wireless Internet access, then I take them at their word and log on. That’s simple enough. Now if it says, FREE to customers only, or FREE with a purchase, or something similar, then that’s a different story. But if it just says, FREE Internet! Then I say, thank you very much and I log on and surf away!

On the other hand, “open,” unencrypted connections are usually not meant to be free. What’s probably happened is that someone’s bought a wireless router and didn’t know how to turn on the encryption to keep other people from using their connection. Though, some people do leave their connection open on purpose, so that their neighbors can log on for free. But that’s not usually the case.

If I don’t see a sign outside their house saying, “FREE wireless Internet - log on,” then I don’t use it. So that in a nutshell is my definition between FREE and ‘open’ connections.

The key to receiving these free APs is the antenna. I’ve built about a dozen or so over the last seven years and I’ve found out which ones work the best. The surprising thing is the cost. It’s under $15 in most cases. Compared to the $500+ I’d been paying in service charges every year, I figure I’ve saved over $3,500 since 2003.

I’ve put four of my best designs together in a book called, “FREE Internet” which is available on Amazon.com in both Kindle e-book and paperback formats. The antenna I use the most is called the WIFI CANnon. It can be built by a 10 year old in about an hour with $11 worth of parts. You can pick these up from your local ‘home-outfitter.’ (Lowes, Home Depot, hardware store)

I’ve also included a chapter in the book on how to keep hackers and curious “neighbors” from logging onto your own wireless router. If you’re tired of paying monthly Internet charges…you should give “FREE Internet” a read. It could save you thousands over the coming years…

For more Information: http://randybenjamin.com/html/free_internet.html

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Randy Benjamin is an author of several technical books and novels. He's also a syndicated columnist. His books can be found on-line at Amazon.com and in your local book stores.

Visit his website for more information http://www.randybenjamin.com