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If you find yourself without a WLAN router for wireless Internet access, you can turn your computer or smartphone into a hotspot with a few simple steps.
To do so, you'll need a Windows 7-ready PC, a Mac with Internet access, or a mobile phone that can support UMTS or WLAN.
To turn a PC or notebook into a hotspot, one needs to use the Windows 7 Virtual WiFi function.
The first step is to activate the function. Provided one is logged on as an administrator, one can use the cmd.exe function to open the Windows command prompt. Input this command: netsh wlan set hostednetwork modeallow ssid"SSID" key"Password" keyUsagepersistent.
Where it says the letters "SSID," one can input a name for the wireless network . And one should not type the word "password" but an actual, secure password one has chosen to keep out interlopers.
If that's too technical, one can also opt to use Connectify software. Whichever option is chosen, one can use wireless-enabled machines to access the computer's landline Internet connection. Those portable devices will recognize the WLAN signal and request the password chosen during the setup operation.
Problems can develop when using a notebook if its WLAN card driver does not support Virtual WiFi.
Mac users can turn their computers into a hotspot by accessing System Preferences and then Sharing. Once there, choose Internet Sharing and then the Internet connection of the active UMTS surfstick and the Mac Airport connection. The WLAN name and the network code have to be entered under Airport options.
Smartphones can also be used to build WLAN networks. Palm Pre's even include Mobile Hotspot software since the release of the Web OS version 1.4.0. Android-based mobiles need to access the Anetshare program. The Joikuspot app gives Symbian mobile phones WLAN router capabilities.