Automatically connect windows 10 PC to open WiFi?

[TNGW1500SE]

Is there a way to have windows 10 automatically connect to any open WiFi network and would that be safe? I have a windows 10 PC in my MH that is always on and I use McAfee VPN that is always running so it's on a VPN when connected. It would be nice to have it just connect to a network if there was one in range.

[fj12ryder]

I don't worry much about public wifi, use them pretty much all the time. But even I think connecting automatically to any open wifi is not a good idea.

[deltabravo]

TNGW1500SE wrote:
Is there a way to have windows 10 automatically connect to any open WiFi network

No, it won't connect the first time, automatically. You must select the wifi network you want to connect to.

If you select "connect automatically" when you connected to it the last time, It will connect automatically If you are in range of that wifi again.

[APT]

wa8yxm wrote:
Not that I am aware of for the first time. Once you connect then there is an option to re-connecct.. I don't do open wi-fi with my Computer... In fact I normally just connect to my phone if I'm out and about.

I agree with all of this. Why would you want to connect to open wireless? If you have nothing important on said computer, then maybe it's okay. But I do not use any public internet. Either secure wireless at home, mobile/cellular on the go, or the internet can wait.

[MitchF150]

How I understand it, all a VPN does is take the existing wifi connection and routes to a server located someplace else in the world. That connection is 'secure', but you are still connected to the original wifi network as the starting point. It would be up to the built in windows firewall to provide the security for the initial wifi connection..

That's just how it was explained to me.. I might just be passing along incorrect info, but in general, it's usually not a good idea to just randomly connect to free wifi at all.

Good luck! Mitch

[rk911]

agesilaus wrote:
That would be a major security problem and asking for trouble

but the OP said he always uses a VPN. wouldn't that offer protection?

[agesilaus]

That would be a major security problem and asking for trouble

[wildtoad]

As far as I know automatically joining an unknown network is not supported, and you really don’t want that. You should understand what networks your connecting to.

[wa8yxm]

Not that I am aware of for the first time. Once you connect then there is an option to re-connecct.. I don't do open wi-fi with my Computer... In fact I normally just connect to my phone if I'm out and about.

[TNGW1500SE]

I find a bunch of them.

[rk911]

apart from some retail stores, libraries, etc. are there any open wi-fi networks left?