Sorry in advance for my lack of understanding… I’m looking for a simple way to connect a desktop PC to my townhouse complex courtesy (free) wifi internet connection. Its basically like ATT “guest-net” kind of thing at hotels for business travelers.
I see all these adapter “cards” as well as USB solutions. Which is the “best”? I’d rather not take the PC apart (generally bad things happen to me when I do that …LOL).
thanks in advance!!
No suggestions on a particular device but you should pay heed that anything you send over that WiFi may potentially be tracked/intercepted so I'd advise against using it for any important transactions (e.g. Online banking).
Even if it's non-financial transaction (like logging in to BLF), make sure that account isn't critical and more importantly not used for any important functions (like banking) since it can also be intercepted.
Likewise, I wouldn't use an important PC if it has sensitive data on it. If you have a spare PC, then use that instead.
Yikes thats a good point. I just paid a phone bill this morning!!! Now that you mention it, my wife does her taxes with this PC.
Hmm… Better get a subscription going I think.
I know my way around encryption and algorithms and wireless stuff a little. WPA2 encryption with a full 63 character keyword is pretty safe. I use that connection for way more security critical stuff than just online banking. So there are basically 2 concepts for security: really strong encryption on the wireless connection or leaving the connection completely open for everybody to see and use, but using some kind of VPN (virtual private network) tunneling software within that connection. Many open hotspots at hotels, airports, café's use the second way. Both methods can be very safe to use. So question is often not what happens to the WiFi waves, but do you trust the IT guys that maintain the hotspot? I would look for an adapter with usb port (best for VPN), or an access point with Ethernet connection (best for WPA2). Do you need a special tunneling-software to access that hotspot? What distance, or objects do the WiFi waves have to overcome? (walls,trees etc.)
Speed: 802.11n, 300Mbps
Which frequency band is used: 2.4 GHz (more likely) / 5 GHz
Encryption strength (if needed): WPA2-PSK
Multiple antennas, difficult recepetion?: MIMO
If you are looking for range, get yourself an ALFA USB adaptor. They have amazing range and power, the Realtek based ones are popular with hacker types because of good Linux support (packet injection) and high range. I have the older AWUS036H and it is amazing, I have also used the newer AWUS036NHR and it had even better range due to better RF sensitivity. You can also get different antennas for these as they have a RP-SMA connector, with a yagi or parabolic antenna you can get insane range. I’ve herd of people getting 3km+ with parabolic antennas.
I’m certainly not an EE but I’ve had great luck with this for less than twenty bucks. I agree about the adapters without the antennas, they mostly suck, especially the tiny ones.
Like everyone else said, those flash drive looking adapters probably aren’t gonna get you the reception you require. They are more suited to home wireless, being less than 50 feet for a strong signal. Though my brother gets a single bar from my Dlink n router at the condo pool, which is rougly 200-250 feet from the below ground router!
In my condo, I have an N/G Dlink router, and had to move to direct connection, because the Netgear WG111v3 wireless receiver I had wasn’t cutting it, literally! Part of the problem might’ve been that the receiver was only G, and not as good at distance as N. It’s roughly a 40 foot distance straight from the router to the PC. Going from the basement, through the first floor and up to the second floor. A 100 foot ethrenet cable barely went the distance, only a foot or two of slack!
Anyone know how the op’s connection distribution is set up? Is it just a large antenna router or something? He could always ask where it’s based at, then he can figure out what type of receiver he needs.
Thats a good question. I’ll have to ask the management company. FWIW… I have always had 100% signal strength with my macbook. If it was being broadcast completely across the condo facility, I never would even know it. As far as I can tell its a VERY strong signal.
Some great replies gents THANKS!!… even though much of it is over my head. That just means I have some learning to do!!
thanks and keep the replies coming.
Thanks!! I was hoping for a solution as simple as this. Looks like a simple plug & play device.
OK thanks everyone… I will look for something with an antenna for sure.
WPS / “push button to connect” actually takes some time to crack, usually hours sometimes days.
There is an exception where the wps crack can be instant, it seems particular router models from multiple brands use a pin of 12345678, instead of a random pin. For these routers, you don’t really need any crack or tools at all. Just try pin 12345678 on any* secured wifi. If your lucky, your in! 
Step by step picture guide for win7. Don’t do it.
I’m so glad manufacturers take their job of providing security seriously, using the unbreakable random code 12345678 to thoroughly protect our credit card #s, paypal, banking passwords & our entire internet use while on their router. /sarcasm :party:
This would not have gone unnoticed by the manufacturers. The pin is even placed on a sticker on the bottom of most routers. They just didn’t care. Probably saved time / money in the short term. 
The wps crack comes from a separate area of negligence apart from the 12345678 pin issue. Router designers allow effectively unlimited pin attempts. Real pin use is only when a brand new device connects. Yet routers often allow thousands an hour. What usually slows it down is limited router cpu/ram or buggy router firmware. :weary:
/end rant
See the section “How to tell if your wireless router is vulnerable” on this page for how to disable wps, protecting your passwords & data. A few routers need their firmware updated & some even have to be replaced outright when the manufacturer won’t provide a fix. 
If the router is not under your control & you can’t confirm it’s not vulnerable or if your computer ever leaves your wifi / house (seriously) install https-Everywhere extension.
*Will fail on wps disabled or wep networks but theres no harm in failing & easier to say “any”
Thanks Halo.
Lots of good information there.
Wireless security is overblown. The chances of anyone hacking you for anything other than kicks is miniscule. It’s simply an extremely ineffective way of getting personal data when CC lists and whatnot can be purchased by the millions. The main “risk” with an open connection is that others will use your inet for free, slowing it down or in very unlikely cases getting you entangled in some BS for their actions (IP is not a person according to law in the US, but anything involving the law is a hassle).
The simple solution is to get a usb wiki adapter with external antenna, and run it with WPA. Done.
I have one of these; it’s quite functional: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166056
Oh, if you get a strong signal with your macbook, just try one of these Wireless Adapters | Newegg.com
Just a little status update… THANKS everyone for replying, theres some GREAT information here.
I just went to my local Frys and Microcenter and picked up a TP-LINK adapter. Both stores have good customer return policies so I figured I’d get the cheapest one on the shelf and scale up.
Turns out for $15 this adapter gets a better/stronger signal than my macbook, and I am completely satisfied.
I did install the HTTPS-Everywhere ad-on to my firefox browser, being that I am not the admin for this wifi. So far it runs seamlessly in the background.
thanks everyone
Great choice on adapter, has around 500 reviews on amazon, with a 4 star average! Do you use adblockplus for firefox? Best thing that ever happened to firefox for me, stumbled upon it 3 or 4 years ago.
Absolutely…. ABP is a must have for FF. I too have been using it for at least ~4 years (since I started using FF). I used to do a LOT of gnutella P2P and bittorrent downloads for movies and music… ABP is a must have for “those” kinds of www sites.
Haha, yes they are a must. Whenever I go to a friends house and download a torrent, I just end up getting ABP halfway through because the ads are so annoying. Worst thing though, is when people watch youtube, but end up watching a 30 second ad for a 30 second to 1 minute clip.
+1 on this one (I know OP already got one, but some more people might visit this thread in future).
Been using it for over a year, this thing beats any notebook, phone, tablet or anything else in terms of distance & speed.
I’m a little bit late to the party, but a refurbished Linksys/Cisco router with DD-WRT in client-bridge mode works well too. It’s not the simplest solution, but it shouldn’t cost too much and the investment would be excellent for when you get your own subscription down the road.