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Keeping your wireless devices secure

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Understanding Glide Wi-Fi connectivity and security

Glide offers three types of Wi-Fi connectivity to meet different requirements:

Glide Open Network

A convenient network that does not require a Wi-Fi password. A Glide account is still required before internet access is provided.

Glide Open Home Network

Provides additional privacy by placing your personal devices together on their own private VLAN.

Glide GPSK

A password-protected network that provides wireless encryption for compatible devices.

This article explains the security differences between these options and provides practical steps to help protect your devices when using the Glide Open Network.

Glide Open Network

An open network is a Wi-Fi network that does not require a password before a device can join it. To access the internet through the Glide Open Network, you must still create a Glide account and sign in.

On an open network, you may be able to see other connected devices, including speakers, printers and streaming devices. This does not automatically expose your personal information, but it is important to secure your devices and disable sharing features that you do not use.

Encryption on Glide Open Networks

The Glide Open Network provides a similar connection to a standard public Wi-Fi hotspot. Because the Wi-Fi network itself does not require a password, you should use websites and apps that protect information using HTTPS/TLS encryption, particularly when entering usernames, passwords, payment information or other sensitive details.

Wireless encryption, where available, only protects the connection between your device and the wireless access point. HTTPS/TLS protects information between your browser or app and the service you are using, which is why it remains important on both open and password-protected Wi-Fi networks.

How can I tell whether a website uses encryption?

Example of browser security information on the BBC website Example of browser security information on Facebook Example of browser security information on YouTube

Modern browsers display security information beside the website address. The address should begin with https://, and the browser should not display a certificate or connection warning. An encrypted connection protects information while it is being transferred, but it does not guarantee that a website is genuine. Always check the website address carefully before entering personal information.

You may choose to use a VPN, but a VPN can sometimes affect browsing or connectivity and may not provide the benefits you expect. Read our VPN guidance for further information.

Protect your devices on an open network

The following steps can help secure your devices. Device menus vary between manufacturers, so contact the manufacturer if you need model-specific guidance.

 

Windows computers
  1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi, then select the Glide network.
  2. Under Network profile type, select Public network. This makes the computer less visible to other devices.
  3. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings.
  4. Under Public networks, turn off Network discovery and File and printer sharing unless you specifically need them.

Menu names differ on older Windows versions. You can search Settings for Network profile or Advanced sharing settings.

iPhone and iPad
  1. Go to Settings > General > AirDrop.
  2. Select Contacts Only, or select Receiving Off when you are not using AirDrop.
  3. Keep your device protected with a passcode, Face ID or Touch ID.

Avoid leaving AirDrop set to Everyone for 10 Minutes unless you are actively receiving something from a person nearby.

Android phones and tablets
  1. Open Settings and search for Quick Share.
  2. Select Who can share with you.
  3. Select Your devices or Contacts instead of making the device visible to everyone.
  4. Protect the device with a PIN, password, pattern, fingerprint or face unlock.

The wording and location of these settings vary between Android manufacturers.

Apple Mac sharing settings
  1. Go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Sharing.
  2. Turn off any sharing service that you do not use, particularly File Sharing, Media Sharing, Screen Sharing, Remote Login and Remote Management.

Disabling unused sharing services reduces the chance of your Mac being visible or accessible to other devices on the network.

Apple TV and AirPlay

Configure an AirPlay password to prevent unauthorised devices from streaming to your Apple TV:

  1. Go to Settings > AirPlay and Apple Home > Allow Access.
  2. Turn on Require Password, then set a password.
Chromecast and Google Home

To prevent other people on the network from receiving controls for your cast media:

  1. Open the Google Home app.
  2. Select Home > All devices, then touch and hold the device tile.
  3. Select Settings > Recognition & sharing.
  4. Turn off Let others control your cast media.

Please note: Google no longer supports Chromecast Guest Mode, so there is no Guest Mode setting to disable.

Wireless printers
  • Where possible, connect the printer directly to your computer using a USB cable.
  • If you use Wi-Fi Direct, secure it with a password where the printer supports this.
  • Turn Wi-Fi Direct off when it is not needed. Its separate wireless signal may interfere with other nearby Wi-Fi networks.
Network storage and shared drives
  • Change the default administrator username and password where the device allows this.
  • Disable guest or anonymous access unless it is genuinely required.
  • Protect every shared folder with appropriate user permissions.
  • Keep the storage device firmware up to date.
  • Do not store sensitive information in a folder that every network user can access.
Other speakers, streaming devices and smart equipment
  • Use a device’s infrared remote control or Bluetooth controls instead of a Wi-Fi control app where this is practical.
  • Set a password on every wireless connection or sharing feature that supports one.
  • If a device does not provide its own password or access-control setting, disconnect it from Wi-Fi or switch it off when it is not being used.
  • Keep the device software and any companion apps up to date.
  • On smart TVs and streaming devices, enable a PIN or confirmation prompt for casting and remote-control features where available.
  • On games consoles, protect the user account with a passcode and require authentication for purchases.

 

Important: You are responsible for securing the devices you connect. Glide cannot control the actions of other users on an open network, whether accidental or malicious.

Glide Open Home Network

At sites that use Glide Home Network, each customer’s devices are assigned to their own dedicated VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network). This allows your devices to communicate with each other while remaining isolated from other users on the network, providing an experience that is more similar to a private home network.

Read our Glide Home Network guide for further information.

How can I tell whether I am at a Glide Home Network site?

At some sites, two networks are displayed: Glide and Glide-HN. Glide-HN is the Home Network Wi-Fi name.

At other sites, only Glide is displayed, but it may still provide Home Network. To check:

  1. Sign in at my.glidestudent.co.uk.
  2. On a phone or tablet, select the three-line menu at the top left, then select Extras.
  3. On a computer, select Extras at the top of the page.
  4. If Home Network is listed, you are at a Home Network location.

Glide GPSK Network

GPSK (Glide Pre-Shared Key) provides a password-protected Wi-Fi connection with wireless encryption. After registering, you receive a unique passkey that can be used to connect compatible devices to the secure Glide Resident network.

How can I tell whether I am at a Glide GPSK site?

At a GPSK-enabled site, you will normally see two network names:

  • Glide_Signup – used to register and receive your unique passkey.
  • Glide_Resident – the password-protected network used after registration.

If you need help connecting at a GPSK site, read our GPSK connection guide.

Open Network FAQs

▼ Select a question below to expand and view the answer.

 

Why does my device say the network is not secure, unsecured or open?

Apple and other device manufacturers identify Wi-Fi networks that do not require a password as open or unsecured. This warning is intended to raise awareness of the risks of connecting to an unfamiliar open network.

Is the Glide Open Network safe, and what protection is provided?

The Glide Open Network provides a similar level of wireless security to a standard public Wi-Fi hotspot. Always use secure websites and apps when entering personal information. Most reputable services use HTTPS/TLS encryption to keep information transferred between your device and their servers private.

Some locations may also provide a network named Glide-Secure with wireless encryption. This protects the wireless connection between your device and the access point, while HTTPS/TLS continues to protect information between your device and the service you are using.

Keep your operating system and security software up to date, and enable the device firewall where one is available.

Can other people access or control my device or its data?

A device with unprotected sharing or remote-access features may be accessible to other users on the same network. Protect your devices with strong passwords and turn off sharing features that you do not need.

Why is a Wi-Fi password not required?

The Glide Open Network is designed to make registration and everyday access straightforward. You must still sign in with a Glide account before internet access is provided. When appropriate steps are taken to protect your devices and information, using the service is similar to using other public Wi-Fi networks.

Why can I see other devices or sharing options?

Device visibility allows compatible equipment to discover and communicate with other devices. On an open network, this may also cause other residents’ devices to appear in sharing menus or apps. Secure your equipment with passwords and disable any sharing or remote-control feature that you do not need.

 

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