Wi Fi Hotspots . . . how do I provide a free one?

Just curious, but I'd like to make a free Wi-Fi hotspot at a new store that I am opening and I don't really know how to do it.

I use Wi-Fi at home so I do understand the basics of it, but I just want to have an open area where anyone can come in and get onto the internet via Wi-Fi at one of my stores. The store will have a lounge area and it seems like a good idea to provide Wi Fi to attract some customers.

But I'm curious & concerned that neighboring businesses will snag onto my Wi-Fi if it is completely "open" and will use enough of my bandwidth to bog down my real customers. So I figure I need to have a closed system of some sort. Or maybe one with changing passwords? So customers could access it but would still have to log into the system with a password that we provide . . . but then would I need some sort of introduction screen?

I'd like it to be idiot proof

HELP

If you know any managers from The Panera Bread chain, you might ask them. In our area they have a Wi Fi area in just about all of their restaurants and there appears to be no problem.

Barnes & Noble, just about any small coffee shop, Borders, etc... all have internal wi-fi -- go in and ask a manager how they did their setup and see if he'll direct you towards the contractor they used.

I suppose the easiest would be to just plug a wireless router in and then change the password everyday.

From a security perspective, I would isolate your stores network from the WiFi network in order to prevent any hacking. You could do this by having a separate router/firewall between your network and your ISP's connection. You can also get fancier routers that allow you to make virtual networks on a single piece of hardware.

There are lots of different ways to do this so I'd strongly recommend that you just hire someone that can set it up for you and manage it.

I strongly recommend that you consider the security implications and review any liability issues (i.e. child porn surfer in your store).

Have a look at some of these softwares Bob on this link....free downloads so might be worth having a play with them nothing to lose....

But like PB mentions have a careful look into security implications.

internet cafe softwares... http://www.download.com/1770-20_4-0.html?query=internet+cafe+software&searchtype=downloads

WOW thanks, I think that is what I am looking for!

PBinWA said:

I suppose the easiest would be to just plug a wireless router in and then change the password everyday.

From a security perspective, I would isolate your stores network from the WiFi network in order to prevent any hacking. You could do this by having a separate router/firewall between your network and your ISP's connection. You can also get fancier routers that allow you to make virtual networks on a single piece of hardware.

There are lots of different ways to do this so I'd strongly recommend that you just hire someone that can set it up for you and manage it.

I strongly recommend that you consider the security implications and review any liability issues (i.e. child porn surfer in your store).

Click to expand...

Does anyone know what the liability issues are? If someone comes into your shop and is looking at child porn, can law enforcement really come after you? How can you block every possible prohibited site?
Bone

BoneheadNW said:

Does anyone know what the liability issues are? If someone comes into your shop and is looking at child porn, can law enforcement really come after you? How can you block every possible prohibited site?
Bone

Click to expand...

You probably can't block every possible site but you can block the most common ones.

You could probably use OpenDNS.com's filtering to block out a lot of the bad stuff and it works with most routers too.

I have not looked into setting up a free wifi hot spot for the general public, but suspect you cannot be held liable for what sites the users surf to.
Would you really need liability insurance for this?

Would GM be liable for me if I get bagged doing 160+ in my Corvette? THEY have no control over how I drive. Maybe this is Apples and Oranges??

I think the most serious risk is when somebody parks outdoors and you never see him upload to some site that law enforcement is already watching. Then you get the knock on the door asking if you were the origin of all that pron or whatever. Large business can afford the attorneys to get you out of that mess. Could you afford it?

Because I live out in the country a bit I had to get a nice directional antenna to get free Wi Fi from my neighbor. I wish he'd boost his power so I don't need to aim that darn antenna just right.