Access a hotspot with a wifi router?

[morgabo]

Hey There-
I'm completely new to wireless, but it's recently come to my attention that I live next to a free wifi hotspot. My desktop computer does not have a wireless card, but I do have a Linksys Wireless-G router. Is it possible to access the outside hotspot with only the router or do I need to get a PCI wifi card as well? Thanks!

[Gamer03]

Welcome to WA morgabo.

It depends on several factors including password encryption and location. How far are you from the wifi spot?

I think if the router/access point at the free wifi hotspot has open broadcast (where it will send the signal out to anything (router/access point that works), then yes you will be able to pick up the signal.

But most places has a firewall set up that is encrypted so you won't be able to do so.

You should find a tutorial on how to set up your router for picking up a signal in your router.

Why do you want free wifi? Do you already have high-speed internet? If not, then how come you have a router? Also, I wouldn't try this since I believe in paying for service, but that is only my opinion.

[morgabo]

Thanks for the info-

It breaks down like so: I just moved to where I am a week and a half ago, and I knew there was a cafe about 2 (short) blocks away from me that offered free wifi, but I assumed the signal would be nonexistant in my place. So, I got cable modem service a week ago and have been using that as per normal.

Today, a friend came over to visit with his wife, who had a laptop in tow for her work, and upon booting up, she found she had wifi access. So, I decided to try it out myself. I searched Craiglist, bought a wireless router for next to nothing (assuming it would do the same as a PCI card, and I needed a router anyway) and set it up this evening. Currently, I'm running my same cable internet through it, and have not yet figured out how to make it look for the outside wireless signal. Not entirely sure this was even possible, I figured I'd ask before continuing my search for the answer. Whew! It's an involved tale.

I was not aware you needed a password for free service. On that line of thinking, it's possible the signal my acquaintance was picking up was someone else's unprotected wireless network, perhaps. I'm still new to this world and its workings.

I have looked for tutorials on how to acquire a signal with the router, but have not had any luck so far. Do you know of a specific site I could look to for that? Thanks again.