Simple Hacker Tricks You Can Use To Become A Traveling Digital Ninja
Don’t be intimidated by your computer or technology or become frustrated when things don’t seem digitally possible. Instead add these hacker tricks to your digital tool belt to do all sorts of things from extending your wireless range to keeping your online accounts safe at Internet cafes.
Get More Wireless
First off, start by finding out where there might be free wi-fi along your travel route by checking out WiFinder or using WeFi. When that doesn’t work, extend your wireless range by using a long range USB antenna. Aside from extending your wireless range 3-5 times to connect to networks you wouldn’t be able to otherwise, you can use them to crack encrypted wireless networks.
- Share With Friends - Sometimes you have to give in and pay for wi-fi. You can however split the costs with your travel buddies by getting 2 connections for the price of 1.
You can also take things a step further and follow a traveler’s guide to hacking wireless networks or try accessing hotel wireless without paying for it.
Watch Your Shows
Traveling is exciting and inspiring but sometimes you just can’t wait to catch that next episode of Lost. Unfortunately most websites that broadcast TV series like Hulu and others implement regional blocks. Luckily, you can easily get around them using any of these methods.
- Hotspot Shield – The ads are annoying but it’s an easy way to get access to US-based websites. If the ads really bother you here are some Hotspot Shield alternatives.
- FoxyProxy – This free Firefox plugin lets you set up a proxy to get around regional blocks on a website-by-website basis (here’s how).
If possible though, you’ll want to spare your bandwidth for more important things like Twitter, so consider downloading *completely free and legal* versions of your favorite movies using BitTorrent. Here’s a beginner’s guide to using BitTorrent.
Stay Connected, Save Money, And Be Safe
Keep in touch anywhere around the world, and for less, by removing the restrictions placed on your iPhone and connecting to your online accounts without fear of viruses.
- Jailbreak Your iPhone – In most cases it’s pretty easy to jailbreak (aka. unlock) your iPhone so you can use it with any carrier.
- Portable Linux – You can install an entire operating system on a USB drive and protect yourself at Internet cafes, airport kiosks, and unfamiliar laptops.
More Options Than Restrictions
You can do most anything you can think of with technology despite regional restrictions, flaky Internet connections, and expensive hotel wi-fi costs. Most of these useful hacks are easy enough to implement within a few minutes and once you master them will make your digital life that much easier.
[photos by: johnathanb1989 (lego ninja), virtualmusictv (Hulu)]
Earl (49)
blahh (14)
Deniz (12)
Maureen (12)
Audrey (11)
Dan (11)
Oh my – I wish I would have known about Foxy Proxy when I lived in Vietnam!!!
A very useful little plugin
Jailbreak your iPhone! We did this and used it all through Europe and Asia. I don’t think I’d go traveling without it again. I was able to do tweets, phone the hostel when the taxi driver didn’t know where to go, update our blog but also download new Kindle books on the go. Seriously, the iPhone is a handy tool to use on the road! And cheap as hell for data/voice plans on pay as you go.
Without jailbreaking it I can’t imagine what the costs would be for phone and data service.
I’m definitely going to look into a USB aentenna Do you recommend a particular model?
Yes, check out the $40 Alfa AWUS036EH (300mW) or for more power the larger model $60 Alfa AWUS036 (500mW). You can find both from:
http://www.rokland.com/store/index.php
I can’t recommend them enough, come in handy on many occasions.
I’m heading to China in a couple of weeks. I’m going to set up FoxyProxy. Fingers crossed that it will work. It should also come in handy here in Korea.
Thanks for the info.
Cool, would be great if you could let me know if it works in China, have a great trip!