How web content filtering improves public Wi-Fi hotspot security
In this article, we are going to focus on the importance of web content filtering as a way to improve public Wi-Fi hotspot security. In doing so, we will provide some use cases and suggestions about the most effective web content filtering tools on the market.
Nowadays, the increased use of Internet has led to a growing spread of cyber threats: malware, botnets, ransomware and phishing are now commonplace. Accordingly, in order to protect their networks from such threats, business organizations, governments and educational institutions are investing more and more in web security solutions, i.e. web content filtering tools. As a matter of fact, according to the “Web content filtering – A global strategic business report” published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., the global market for Web Content Filtering is healthily growing and is expected to reach US$3.1 billion by 2020. Let’s understand more what web content filtering consists of and how it can be effectively deployed to better ensure public Wi-Fi hotspot security.
What is a web content filter?
A web content filter is a software aimed at screening content on the internet based on different filtering categories , restricting the range of domains that users can access while surfing the web. Network administrators can deploy a web content filtering solution in different environments, such as offices, public hotspots and schools, in order to allow employees, students and other users to access only specific types of information, preventing them from accessing inappropriate websites and any unwanted online content.
Examples of how content filtering can be deployed in Wi-Fi-enabled public areas:
To keep track of and break down user traffic in public areas with Wi-Fi, such as commercial venues, main squares, hotels, restaurants etc., as a way to preserve internet bandwidth: indeed, effective web content filtering tools enable network admins to store on a database relevant information about Wi-Fi users, such as the IP addresses of the visited sites and domain names.
To scan and secure public Wi-Fi hotspots from hacking attacks and viruses: indeed, a web content filtering tool can effectively detect hostile content, infected sites, malware and other viruses and block them, thus protecting the Wi-Fi network.
To block distasteful and illegal content, such as pornography and hate or violence-oriented content not compliant with the law, in educational institutions, i.e. schools, colleges and training institutes;
To monitor the websites accessed by employees, in order to better optimize the use of bandwidth available in the workplace and reduce, at the same time, web browsing for personal purposes; indeed, Internet abuse can negatively impact the overall employees productivity;
To protect Wi-Fi hotspot providers from liabilities due to illegal activities being run from malicious users while connected to their internal networks. For instance, they are not liable if they give evidence that they tried to avoid the crime, i.e. showing the deployment of a web content filtering tool. In fact, content filtering can reduce the risk of the main infringements related to copyright violations and pornographic streaming videos in a successful way.
The cloud-based content filtering system integrated in the Tanaza software makes all of this possible in a very easy way! The built-in content filtering feature provided by Tanaza gives Wi-Fi hotspot providers the possibility to create a personalized list of sites to block or unblock, choosing among a large number of set categories. In this way, Wi-Fi hotspot providers can successfully manage the kind of content end users can see when browsing their network. Furthermore, the Tanaza Content Filtering works with any Wi-Fi hotspot, as Tanaza is multi-vendor and therefore supports a wide array of access points. Also, network administrators can access useful real-time reports and schedule them via email, in order to see in detail the categories visited by Wi-Fi users. Another benefit of Tanaza’s web content filtering feature is represented by the unique opportunity to block the traffic in countries at high risk of virus and hacker threats.
Do you want to discover the Tanaza Content Filtering? Check out the Tanaza Web Content Filtering feature page and start the 15-day free trial to see how you can effectively protect your Wi-Fi network with our cloud-based content filtering system.
4 reasons why 5G cellular won’t be a threat to Wi-Fi
5G is the next big revolution in mobile connectivity, is expected to be able to handle the increasing traffic related to the higher need for mobile data. The 5G wireless technology aims at providing better mobile broadband connectivity and speed for a wider range of customers.
In this scenario, is there a chance that the new 5G cellular network will eventually replace Wi-Fi?
1. Mobile users will likely continue to favour Wi-Fi over mobile connectivity
Currently, many mobile users prefer using Wi-Fi networks instead of 4G cellular ones. In particular, in developing countries where mobile connectivity is lacking and in developed mobile markets where mobile data is overpriced and limited, Wi-Fi is a valuable choice among smartphone users. Accordingly, as 5G is going to be the evolution of the current 4G cellular network, it is likely that many users will still favor Wi-Fi over 5G.
2. Wi-Fi will still be an affordable alternative to 5G
To handle the large of amount of data traffic coming their way, network operators will opt to work with all technologies operating on the unlicensed spectrum, as opposed to solely relying on private licensed ones. This scenario might make it possible for customers in the Wi-Fi market – other than mobile network operators – to opt for 5G over Wi-Fi in the unlicensed and shared spectrum. Nevertheless, despite 5G’s well-performing connection, it is likely that it will be offered at a high price. This will continue to make Wi-Fi a valuable and affordable alternative choice for many customers due to the fact that lot of effort and money is required to enable the 5G connection to work with both the licensed and the unlicensed spectrum based on different protocols.
3. Wi-Fi already masters dense deployments
Given the expected extensive data traffic in the upcoming years, 5G will also rely more and more on small cells, which are known to be very effective to improve capacity, coverage and data range in congested areas. From this point of view, as opposed to 5G,Wi-Fi already has a big advantage, as it masters crowded deployments. Compared to the other wireless access technologies, Wi-Fi has the right requirements to handle the growing demand for connectivity by being able to increase the capacity of mobile networks and carrying large amounts of data traffic.
5 things you should know about Wi-Fi speed and distance covered
In this post, we are going to provide the main reasons why distance covered affects your Wi-Fi speed, together with some suggestions to improve your Wi-Fi network’s performance.
When setting up your Wi-Fi hotspot you should consider one of the main aspect affecting your Wi-Fi network’s speed: distance. Indeed, you may experience that the speed of Wi-Fi-enabled devices (i.e. smartphones, laptops, tablets) varies according to their distance from your installed wireless access point.
The further you move from your router the lower your Wi-Fi signal and, accordingly, the lower your network’s speed. Let’s answer the following questions to know the main reasons why this occurs.
1. Can I cover a large area with a 802.11n access point?
The 802.11 standard your access point is based on is relevant to determine the area your device can cover: for instance, the maximum Wi-Fi signal range your access point is able to reach under the current 802.11n standard is 230 feet (70 metres), whereas under the newer 802.11ac the covered range is similar but the maximum throughput is greater – 1.33 Gbps VS 600 Mbps. Furthermore, it is useful to know that, when using the traditional 2.4 GHz band, Wi-Fi access points generally reach the signal up to 150 feet (45 metres) indoors and 300 feet (91 metres) in open areas. Nevertheless, keep in mind that when you are 150 feets away from your access point, even if you can connect, you will never have an outstanding Wi-Fi experience because Wi-Fi can be slow.
2. Can I trust the speed and coverage written on my access point’s box?
You should know that it is basically impossible to get from you Wi-Fi access point the maximum speed written on the box. Here is why:
The maximum speed and coverage of any Wi-Fi access point are theoretical, as they are affected by many external factors, as well as the capabilities of the connected device.
Wi-Fi speed and coverage are inversely proportional, by means of which it is impossible to have maximum speed and maximum coverage at the same time. For instance, if the maximum coverage of your access point is 300 feet, in that point you will never get the maximum speed.
It is also relevant to point out the following factors, which stumblers don’t generally consider:
Interferences given by the simultaneous presence of many devices in the same network
The presence of physical obstacles lowering the propagation of your network’s Wi-Fi signal, such as wood, reflecting surfaces, construction materials, glass and water.
The possibility that the network admin set a particular network configuration, limiting the band at which the network transmits radio signals per SSID, per user profile or per single user.
3. How can I check what’s the speed of my Wi-Fi network?
Online you can find many free Wi-Fi connection tests to check your network’s average and maximum speed: even if these tools are sometimes unreliable, as they don’t consider all the factors potentially affecting your Wi-Fi, you can use them to check your Wi-Fi speed in a specific moment in the different areas covered by your signal. You can also rely on stumbling and surveying tools available on the market, as a way to detect how strong your Wi-Fi network’s signal is. Here, for instance, you can find the best 17 Wi-Fi stumblers for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS, according to Tanaza. In this way, you will be able to gain insight of your network’s Wi-Fi coverage and detect where Wi-Fi devices get the best signal.
4. One powerful access point that covers a large area, or multiple access points?
The choice is easy. Install multiple APs if you want to set up a Wi-Fi connection in a large area, as relying only on one access point is generally not enough. Indeed, there is the risk that people connecting their devices far from your Wi-Fi access point get bad signal, or, if outside the router’s Wi-Fi range, get no signal at all. A way to overcome this issue is to invest in some additional access points, so that the area covered by your signal can be effectively expanded and users can access your Wi-Fi hotspot connection. Furthermore, it is recommended to use the 5 GHz band when hotspots areas are deploying more than one access point: indeed, the 5 GHz frequency has a shorter range, which makes the channel it uses less crowded compared to the traditional 2.4 GHz band. Accordingly, it is less affected by interferences coming from other devices connected around you.
5. Should I invest in AC models?
Among the existing 802.11 standards, routers relying on 802.11ac provide the best connection and benefit from the farthest range. Accordingly, consider equipping your Wi-Fi hotspot with an AC device in order to enjoy a higher-quality Wi-Fi experience. For instance, Tanaza includes a wide range of AC devices among supported indoor and outdoor access points. Now that you know more about the relation between distance and your overall Wi-Fi network performance, you are ready to start setting up your public Wi-Fi hotspot properly!
The new IEEE’s 80211ax standard will make it possible and will dramatically improve your Wi-Fi network capacity.
Are you dreaming of being provided with super-fast Wi-Fi anytime and continuous network connectivity, without worrying about network congestion from devices’ overlaps?
Nowadays, users are using more and more devices while being online, which means Wi-Fi networks and devices need enhanced performance to handle the increased amount of traffic produced. For this reason, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is working on the new 802.11ax Wi-Fi standard, which in 2019 is expected to be publicly released replacing the actual 802.11ac.
In the meantime, Qualcomm, the chipset vendor specialized in 3G and next-generation mobile technologies have recently announced the development of IPQ8074 and QCA6290, two new system-on-chips (SoC) compatible with the new standard features, designed to improve the connected user experience. It will take a while to see 802.11ax Wi-Fi devices available on the market: Qualcomm’s IPQ8074 SoC-based Wi-Fi routers should be released by the end of the year, whereas the QCA6290 ones are expected to be out in 2018.
IPQ8074 will target transmitting routers, gateways and enterprise access points, and is expected to reach a peak speed of 4.8 Gbps across 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands. QCA6290 will be instead adopted for receivingWi-Fi devices (smartphones, laptops, and tablets) and will reach a peak speed of 1.8 Gbps in clients’ wireless devices. Furthermore, the new 802.11axstandard will provide better signal coverage on both 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands, which will also improve connections’ range and responsiveness. Interestingly, QCA6290 is going to be the first-ever released client-side SoC. Fast speed is only one of the many benefits 80211ax will bring to Wi-Fi devices.
The new IEEE standard also aims at improving Wi-Fi networks’ capacity by limiting congestion on Wi-Fi networks, so that connections of high-traffic wireless deployments can work well even when thousands of devices are connected simultaneously, creating interferences. It is likely that vendors will start developing new product lines in order to base enhanced Wi-Fi devices on the new standard.
Single-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (SU-MIMO) is the current technology compatible with the current 802.11ac standard, which allows routers to shift connections using multiple inputs and outputs in order to serve a single user at a time. Soon, it will be replaced by the Multiple-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO), based on 802.11ax, which will be able to serve a higher number of users simultaneously.
MU-MIMO together with OFDM
The 802.11ax standard will use Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), the technology currently used to enhance LTE networks’ capacity that allows low data rate transmission from several users at the same time. 802.11ax access points will be able to combine OFDMA with MU-MIMO, so that they will have full control of all aspects of multiple user operations and will be able to further increase the data transfer to multiple devices at the same time, by subdividing signals in the same channel bandwidth into smaller sub-channels.
By virtue of these capabilities, the new 80211ax Wi-Fi standard will boost Wi-Fi networks’ capability and performance.
In this post we will discuss the main characteristics Wi-Fi services should offer in order to meet users’ expectations.
Unlimited internet connection
Nowadays, in order to comfortably browse on social media, view videos, make calls, stream and download content, send emails, etc., people expect to access the Internet without limits. For instance, Wi-Fi users want to navigate the web without incurring in speed and session time limits, nor being limited in the kind of apps they are allowed to use online. Furthermore, the majority of online content consumes a lot of data: uploading and downloading music and movies and online gaming require more and more quality broadband services that users expect to be provided with. You can find more information about the main applications’ requirements in terms of bandwidth and throughput in this article.
Through its Wi-Fi couponing system, Tanaza gives you the possibility to handle and control guest access to your Wi-Fi network. For example, you can distribute vouchers for Internet connectivity deciding the download and upload quota and the number of devices to be connected.
Easy and fast login method
The easier, the better. In general, people do not like to spend too much time online and want to access a Wi-Fi connection on the fly, in an intuitive way. In addition, users do
not usually like to share their personal information and will not appreciate when a captive portal requires too much information, i.e. it asks you to complete a form with your email address, phone number and other data such as age, gender, interests, etc., as conditions to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot. A basic authentication method is what Wi-Fi customers look for, and Tanaza can help you doing so: the splash page Editor provides you with basic login methods for your clients, which are largely appreciated by Wi-Fi users, i.e. social login accessing via Facebook or other social networks. You can easily build an intuitive splash page with basic elements, such as a background, a logo and a login button.
Paid wireless services with no limits
Generally, Wi-Fi users are not willing to pay for wireless services and if so, they expect to be free from limits in terms of available bandwidth, the number of devices they can connect to a network or the type of apps they can use. Tanaza allows you to configure captive portals with paid Wi-Fi access, thanks to its voucher-based authentication system, but you should consider that it can be hard to monetize Wi-Fi with this method if your users have cheaper or free alternatives to connect to the Internet, such as 3G/4G plans or other free Wi-Fi hotspots in the same area.
Internet access everywhere
People want to be provided with Wi-Fi service anytime and no matter where they are. For instance, they appreciate when retail shops offer free Wi-Fi connection, so as to browse on the internet while inside the stores (or just outside the stores, for men that are waiting for their wives that are going back and forth from the fitting rooms with a dozen dresses!). The more hotspots you install in crowded places, the more data you’ll be able to collect from people looking for Wi-Fi connection wherever they are!
Whether you are a new or an early stage company, which wantsto operate in the wireless networking space offering Wi-Fi solutions, we hope you will find the following suggestions very useful.
Target small clients
To begin with, start building client relationships based on your target. First, it is recommended to engage with small businesses at a local level, such as bars and restaurants nearby your place, as it is easier to directly interact with its owners. Furthermore, establishing a relationship with smaller clients can help you to reach bigger customers more easily. On the contrary, to start by targeting larger business, such as big hotels, would not give you the opportunity to enter in direct contact with business owners. Accordingly, focus on bigger clients once you have reached a good number of customers in the lower end of the market.
Use low-cost access points
Being at the entry-level of your business, it is advisable not to immediately rely on enterprise-class products, being that these are overpriced compared to what they offer. What is more, contracts related to these kinds of products do not allow you to change vendor, which also means that lock-in costs have to be incurred.
Opt instead for affordable Wi-Fi products. Low-cost access points can help you minimizing hardware costs by still providing you with good performances. You can choose among many options in the low-cost Wi-Fi market: for instance, one of the main contenders supported by Tanaza is Tp-Link, a provider of SOHO & SMB networking products and WLAN products at global level. You could opt for TP-Link TL-WA901N/ND or TP-Link TL-WR941N/ND, two access points having basic performance suitable for SMB at an affordable price. Should the performances of these devices not be enough, you can rely on a more powerful class of devices belonging to Ubiquiti, a vendor providing various networking products and solutions for service providers and enterprises. For instance, the company’s UniFi UAP and UniFi UAP-LR devices are a valid option to consider.
Target locations with 1-2 access points
It is recommended to start targeting locations with 1 or max 2 access points, as the installation process becomes more difficult with the more devices you add. Typical examples of locations where only 1 or 2 devices are needed are small coffee shops, Airbnb apartments and small shops. Furthermore, when choosing the right location, remember to minimize wireless interference as much as possible. For instance, avoid installing your wireless network where physical obstacles can interfere with your wireless signals, such as trees, walls (concrete and steel in particular), water and reflective glass.
Indoor access points are easier to install
Considering that you target small clients, indoor devices are preferred to outdoor devices, at least at the beginning. This is because indoor access points are less expensive than their outdoor equivalent, as their installation process is easier. Indoor APs do not need have particular requirements to protect them from weather exposure (i.e. being waterproof), nor special installation skills, such as the need for antennas for wireless coverage and range.There are many indoor devices on the market: Tanaza can help you to choose among a wide range of indoor supported access points.
Target clients that already have an internet connection
Focusing on clients already offering a password-protected internet connection, and locations that already have connectivity i.e. through ADSL or fiber enhances your chances to convince them to buy from you, as they do not consider broadband connectivity costs as a further expense to cover the add-on solution you are offering. Furthermore, you can improve your customers’ networks in different ways, for instance, if they are tired of giving their Wi-Fi password to every single customer you can offer your high-performance Wi-Fi captive portal. Furthermore, you can introduce innovative ways for data capture and user authentication based on social login, which enables users to log in with their favorite social network. In this respect, businesses providing Wi-Fi access using passwords, like bars, could benefit from such a captive portal. The captive portal offered by Tanaza can be used as a marketing tool to collect user data with an easy-to-setup and easy-to-use Wi-Fi authentication splash page.
Offer a simple login method
Start by offering a simple login method for your clients i.e. Facebook login, as a way to boost your social visibility. Build an intuitive splash page with basic elements i.e. a background, a logo, and a login button. Then, based on the number of users connecting to the Wi-Fi and their feedback, the login process can be improved with further actions. For instance, the Tanaza’s Wi-Fi authentication splash page includes social login actions such as Facebook Like or/and Check-in.
Keep revenue streams separated
Instead of directly offering an all-inclusive package, maximize your revenue streams by dividing your service offering as follows:
One time hardware cost for each single access point
Monthly or annual maintenance costs: the annual option is more convenient and safer, as it avoids possible earlier clients’ withdrawals from the service
Management costs are related to features – i.e. captive portals – applied to each access point, which would include Tanaza’s licenses for each managed AP. You can rely on the prices suggested by Tanaza if you are a Tanaza Authorized Partner
Support costs, which is recommendable to limit based on a determined number of hours or opened tickets, and preferably offered only remotely / through e-mail and not by phone 24/7/365.
Installation and hardware costs, meaning adding a percentage related to your provided installation service to the incurred hardware costs.
If you want to learn more about how to set prices for your Wi-Fi project, read this post about cost and competition-based methods and this article about value-based pricing and room-based pricing (for hotels and B&Bs).
Keep potential upsells for a second phase
Last but not least, in order to make profitable margins by minimizing costs, it is better not to sell your services as an all-in-one solution, but rather keep potential up-sell features in a second step. For instance, start by configuring the device, the dashboard, and the splash page on behalf of your clients and, should they need to view the users connecting to their network, add data capture and analytics tools to the services provided, to further increase your profits on those clients. Tanaza provides you with the right business model, helping you to create a profitable business in the social Wi-Fi space.
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Target small clients