Library 😊

Hmm, I didn't think the public library would have secure wifi. But I'd definitely give that a try. I've seen the building and it's beautiful! I've never been inside. Thank you for the recommendation!

Just use a trusted VPN (set one up for yourself if need be, it's not too, too difficult to do) and then it doesn't matter if their Wifi is secure :)

How do you create a trusted VPN? 🤔

You setup a VPN server on your home network and then connect to that, or rent a cheap VPS (virtual private server, not to be confused with VPN) from any decent provider such as AWS, Google Cloud, Azure Cloud, Hivelocity, Digital Ocean, Vultr, etc. and then setup a VPN server there. Here's a tutorial from Digital Ocean: [https://www.digitalocean.com/solutions/vpn](https://www.digitalocean.com/solutions/vpn) You could also use any number of commercially available VPNs such as NordVPN, PrivateInternetAccess, BitDefender VPN (they're an antivirus company too), but you never really know what's going on on the other end of their VPN.

This!

You might need a library card, which is free if you can prove you live there (license, recent piece of mails, etc). I've never had security issues w library wifi, but I'm also a huge nerd and I absolutely love libraries lol

Yeah, I'm definitely going to get one. It'll be perfect for my earlier days. I'll make a rotation of a few places, so I always have somewhere to go regardless of time or random factors. Thank you!

Awesome 😎 best of luck!

If your going someplace to use free Wi-Fi it’s going to be hard to find secured one . If it’s free  they can’t control who’s on it 

I wouldn’t expect any public WiFi to be secure

West Hartford library is the besssssssst.

West Hartford is very nice, so I'll definitely check it out! Thank you!

Use a VPN

What’s a good VPN to use ?

A lot of YouTubers will offer discounts to them you just enter the code from the video oversimplied is one I can think of off the top of my head

Doesn’t matter which one? I know a lot get advertise on YouTube but thought some are better than others . But thanks for the reply

Sorry I don’t know what consumer-based are good. I use the one from work. Look at your App Store see what’s rated well, then Google the best few you see.

Yeah, I have one I currently use Total AV. I'm not sure where it falls on the spectrum in relation to effectiveness. Regardless, the first offense of cyber security is being mindful of what networks you're on. Lol But thanks for the advice!

DORO Marketplace is solid. There’s one in Windsor Locks, West Hartford, and Wethersfield, which are all nice.

DORO has good coffee and good food, but the West Hartford location is always busy, I don’t think I would be able to get any work done.

They've also covered up all of their outlets.

Oh! Thank you all for the suggestions and the details. I'll check it out and see if I can find a time there's a lull. Covering the outlets is a letdown, but I'll invest in a portable one if it's worth it to utilize the location.

Loaded Goat in Naugatuck is open until 7 pm. Chill vibe. Just heads up tho, crap ton of construction going on downtown. Businesses are still open tho.

I'll definitely give that one a shot. Sometimes you gotta get out of the house, you know. Lol

It's nice. They have a fireplace in cooler months. And a big garage door for nice weather days. I think they have a few outside seats too.

Perfect! This is the kind of suggestions I was looking for. I'll definitely check it out. Thank you for the recommendation!

I'm gonna give it a try too! Thanks

I walked by here the other day while I was waiting for my car to be fixed. Really cool looking place!

Honestly the Hartford public library is solid I really liked the building when I lived there.

Parkville Market in Hartford has semi private “rooms” on the 2nd floor that people use for work.

Nice! I'll check it out and see how it is. Thank you for the recommendation!

My son often spends hours at Panera Bread studying. Or should I say "studying"

Hahaha, that sounds like a smart kid. Where is that Panera located? I don't think I've seen one in my travels so far.

There Panera in dozens of ct towns

That would be the best option

Oh, I did know I can get negative points(?). Didn't mean to offend. I was just trying to make a light joke. Regardless, thanks for the suggestions. I'll search for Paneras in the area. I was hoping to hear if anyone had specific places where they personally can attest to the vibes of the particular recommendation. Thank you for the recommendation!

Any Starbucks will do.

Any public library or Dunkin Donuts. 🍩 ☕️

Any library will fit that bill!

I love public libraries

hartford baking co

Okay, I'll look into that. I've never heard of that place. Thank you!

of course. forgot they close at 4 though. my only gripe with them

Loaded goat 100%

Not sure if you're a student, but you can see if your school participates in EduRoam as well. https://ctedunet.net/eduroam/

I'm not a student, haha. But if any student is willing to make a friend! Lol

What about your public library?

It was suggested, and I'm definitely gonna try it out. Thank you!

Silk City Coffee in Manchester and Grounded in Willimantic are nice and offer free WiFi

I like Silk but it can get a little noisy there too around the back area.

Fair. I’m kinda used to all sorts of chaos going on and working through it so. It’s still a mostly chill spot. Plus I like to people watch lol

Perfect, Thank You! The noise shouldn't bother me much, I'll pop my headphones in if it gets to be too much.

Libraries, hotel lobbies, coffee shops, super casual chain restaurants

I’d be wary of hotels that it’s open wifi access. Not sure what the deal is, but they seem to be targets for hackers and Trojans.

Yeah, I was hoping to get specific recommendations from people who may do the same. Lol

I’m not familiar with the area. I was figuring you being up there those ideas would jog a specific suggestion for you. Best of luck

I'm on the road a lot, so I find Starbucks convenient when I have time between appointments. There are more shared workspaces popping up though - in Cheshire I just learned about Muse Coworking Collective - Muse Coworking Collective (203) 233-0389 https://g.co/kgs/sA4SG3s

Rebel Dog in East Hartford is pretty good, although they’re only open until 4:00 PM.

No free open Wifi is "more secure" than another. Should be no problem these days with HTTPS Everywhere or just use a decent VPN

Story and Soil, parkville market, real art ways all have free wifi

Are you on Xfinity at home? They maintain a list of free Wi-Fi hotspots for their customers. Such that all you need to do is pull up to a deli or similar, browse the available networks and see which one is named Xfinity- something something. Your Xfinity password gets you online. It might not be the fastest, but it will be functional. It may be worth joining to get access to their vast network, which I think includes residential customers, meaning that you can pulli into the quiet type neighborhood and join via someone’s household. Tada.

Cheshire coffee

If you’re ever in the Southington area there’s tons there. Southington Coffee house has wifi and the staff, food, and coffee are incredible. Factory Square has a nice seating common area in between all the stores with wifi and AC. It has a nice vibe and is usually quiet during the weekdays. There’s also a cool coffee shop there called Perkatory.

Dom’s Coffee in Avon. Good vibe, friendly staff, good quality food & coffee.

Try a hotel

My personal favorite during school is Heirloom Market in old Wethersfield!! They have so much space and amazing coffee/food.