Chicago O'hare Airport: Free, Fast, And Reliable Wi-Fi

Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) offers free unlimited WiFi to all passengers. To connect to the airport's WiFi, passengers can go to their WiFi settings and connect to the network Free_ORD_WiFi. The average speed of the WiFi at O'Hare Airport is 20mbps, and passengers can also opt for faster speeds by purchasing a one-day or monthly Boingo subscription.

How to connect to O'Hare Airport WiFi

O'Hare Airport does provide free WiFi with an SSID named "_Free_ORD_Wi-Fi". The WiFi is unlimited and free, with ads showing at the start. The average speed of the WiFi is 20mbps.

• Go to your device's WiFi settings.
• Look for the SSID named "_Free_ORD_Wi-Fi".
• Connect to the network.
• After connecting, visit any webpage and follow the registration instructions that appear. If you are on a Mac, click on the WiFi icon and select "Boingo Hotspot" from the top menu.

It is important to note that free or public WiFi hotspots rarely use secure protocols and passwords. This makes them vulnerable to hackers. Therefore, it is recommended that users utilize a virtual private network (VPN) to protect their data and devices from potential breaches. A VPN uses encryption and security protocols to safeguard your data and privacy.

Is O'Hare Airport WiFi free?

Chicago O'Hare Airport offers free unlimited WiFi to all its passengers. To connect to the airport's WiFi, go to your WiFi settings and look for the SSID named "_Free_ORD_Wi-Fi". The average speed of the WiFi at O'Hare Airport is 20mbps, and it is available throughout the airport, both before and after security screening.

Previously, Chicago O'Hare Airport offered free WiFi for all customers with a 30-minute limit. However, since April 2018, passengers have been able to enjoy unlimited free WiFi, with rolling advertisements every 45 minutes. Passengers can also opt for faster speeds by purchasing a one-day or monthly Boingo subscription.

In addition to free WiFi, O'Hare Airport offers various other amenities, including a yoga room, an interfaith chapel, a business centre, family and mother's rooms, and a public art program with works by local artists displayed throughout the airport. The airport also has mobile charging stations near the gates and in several locations throughout all terminals.

Speed and reliability of O'Hare Airport WiFi

O'Hare Airport offers free WiFi with an SSID named _Free_ORD_Wi-Fi. The WiFi is unlimited and free for all passengers, with ads showing at the start. The average speed of the WiFi at O'Hare Airport is 20mbps.

While the WiFi at O'Hare is free and unlimited, it may not be the most reliable or secure. Free or public WiFi hotspots rarely use secure protocols and passwords, which makes them vulnerable to hacking. Hackers can hijack public WiFi or create fake WiFi hotspots that are malicious. If a user joins a malicious network, their data and online privacy can be at risk. Therefore, it is recommended that users take precautions when using public WiFi, such as using a virtual private network (VPN) to protect their devices and data from breaches.

A VPN uses encryption and security protocols to protect data and network traffic from unauthorized access. By using a VPN, users can encrypt their data and make it difficult for hackers to access their personal information. This is especially important when using public WiFi, which may not have the same level of security as a private network.

To connect to the O'Hare Airport WiFi, simply go to your WiFi settings and look for the SSID named _Free_ORD_Wi-Fi. You can connect to this network for free and start browsing the web. However, keep in mind the potential security risks and consider using a VPN for added protection.

Paid WiFi options at O'Hare Airport

O'Hare Airport offers unlimited free WiFi with an SSID named "_Free_ORD_Wi-Fi" for all passengers. The average speed of the WiFi is 20mbps. However, passengers may encounter advertisements while using the free WiFi.

Previously, Chicago’s airports offered free Wi-Fi for all customers with a 30-minute time limit. In April 2018, the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) announced that passengers would now have access to unlimited free WiFi. This new service comes at no cost to the City of Chicago.

In addition to the free WiFi, passengers may also opt for faster speeds by purchasing a one-day or monthly subscription to Boingo Wireless. Boingo costs $6.95 for 24 hours of use and provides faster internet speeds than the free WiFi option.

Another option for paid WiFi is through Passpoint, a Next Generation Hotspot (NGH) technology that automatically connects travelers to WiFi networks without the need for logins or passwords. The world’s first commercial NGH Wi-Fi network was deployed at O'Hare in 2013.

Safety precautions for using O'Hare Airport WiFi

O'Hare Airport offers unlimited free WiFi with an SSID named _Free_ORD_Wi-Fi. However, public WiFi can be hijacked by hackers, who can also create fake WiFi hotspots that are malicious. Here are some safety precautions to follow when using the airport's WiFi:

Before Connecting to the WiFi

• Check the name of the network. Known networks, such as those of familiar coffee chains, are generally safer than random free WiFi networks. Bad actors may create networks with harmless-looking names that are actually malicious.
• Turn off automatic connectivity. Many devices have automatic connectivity settings that allow them to connect to nearby networks. This can be convenient, but it may also connect your device to unsafe networks. You can disable this feature in your device settings.
• Monitor your Bluetooth. Turn off Bluetooth connectivity when in public places, as hackers can look for open Bluetooth signals to gain access to your device.

While Connected to the WiFi

• Use a VPN. A Virtual Private Network will encrypt your data and act as a protective "tunnel" so that your data is not visible as it passes through the network.
• Look for the padlock symbol or "https". Most websites now use encryption to protect your information. To know if your connection is encrypted, look for a lock symbol or "https" in the address bar to the left of the website address.
• Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication. This will help protect your personal information.
• Keep your software and operating systems up to date. This will ensure that you have the latest protections installed.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Do not leave your laptop, tablet, or smartphone unattended in a public place or vehicle. Be mindful of those around you to prevent someone from taking your property or accessing your information.
• Beware of phishing emails and suspicious links. Do not trust the name of an email; always question the intent of the content. If you receive a suspicious email with a link from a known contact, confirm the message is legitimate by contacting the person through a different channel.
• Be careful what you post on social media. Too many personal details can help hackers guess your passwords.

Frequently asked questions