JiWire Hotspot Helper
Frequently Asked Questions
JiWire Hotspot Helper
Where can I download JiWire Hotspot Helper?
JiWire Hotspot Helper is available for download by existing customers only. To access the download link, please sign in on the My Account page.
What are the requirements for running JiWire Hotspot Helper?
JiWire Hotspot Helper runs on Windows Windows XP only. The amount of disk size required depends on the size of your offline Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder database. See below for more information on the Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder that's included with JiWire Hotspot Helper.
How do I purchase JiWire Hotspot Helper security?
JiWire Hotspot Helper is no longer available for purchase. Existing customers who’ve purchased a new subscription or have renewed a subscription by credit card will be fully supported through the end of their most recent one-year term purchase.
How much does JiWire Hotspot Helper cost?
JiWire Hotspot Helper is no longer available for purchase. Existing customers who’ve purchased a new subscription or have renewed a subscription by credit card will be fully supported through the end of their most recent one-year term purchase.
Will JiWire provide JiWire Hotspot Helper for the Mac, Linux, or Windows Mobile?
No. JiWire Hotspot Helper is no longer under development. The existing Windows XP version may be downloaded by current customers only via a link available on the My Account page.
Common Problems and Workarounds
I am having trouble using JiWire Hotspot Helper with my firewall software. Can the two programs coexist?
Yes. Just allow JiWire services to start whenever you see warning messages, and if possible, click the "remember" or "always allow" as appropriate in your firewall software.
Why can't I access my local network when JiWire Hotspot Helper is enabled?
JiWire Wi-Fi Security isolates your computer on its own encrypted private virtual network, separate from other computers on the local network. If you would like to connect to other computers or printers, you can disable Hotspot Security temporarily, but remember to turn it back on so your computer stays protected.
Can I use the JiWire Hotspot Helper application with another VPN service or program?
No. JiWire Hotspot Helper's Wi-Fi Security is its own VPN service and it will conflict with other VPN programs. Do not install Hotspot Helper if you have other VPN software, such as Cisco Systems, on your computer.
JiWire Hotspot Helper doesn't recognize my Wi-Fi adapter. What can I do?
Please contact us to help you resolve any compatibility issues. JiWire can only guarantee support and compatibility for Wi-Fi adaptors or Wi-Fi enabled laptops purchased on or before June 30, 2008 and used with Windows XP. JiWire Hotspot Helper is not compatible with Windows Vista.
Wi-Fi Security
How do I know my connection is secure?
When Wi-Fi Security is active, the JiWire icon in your system tray will have a small lock on it that will blink as you access the network.
How do I turn JiWire Wi-Fi Security on? How do I turn it off?
Simply click on the JiWire icon in your system tray to open the connection status window, which lets you turn Wi-Fi Security on and off. Users of the free version will be presented with a registration screen after their 30 minutes of free use each day has ended.
What kind of encryption is being used?
Wi-Fi Security uses the IPSec framework and AES encryption, which has been adopted by the US Government for its strength. Wi-Fi Security uses a 128-bit encryption key.
I've read recent reports about IPSec vulnerabilities to hacking. How does Wi-Fi Security overcome these vulnerabilities?
There are two reported methods for cracking IPSec tunnels under some very specific circumstances, neither of which occurs with JiWire's Wi-Fi Security implementation. The first involves a bit-flipping technique to compromise DES encryption algorithms. Since JiWire uses a more robust AES encryption algorithm, it is not vulnerable to this attack. The second approach involves modifying network packet headers to cause error messages which then contain the unencrypted packet contents. JiWire is not vulnerable to this type of attack, either, because it's constantly checking to ensure packets have not been modified. In short, when it comes to staying on top of the latest best practices in secure VPN tunneling and best defenses against hackers, we're on it. Your data is safe with JiWire Hotspot Helper and Wi-Fi Security.
Do I need to install a VPN server at my company to use Wi-Fi Security?
No, JiWire has its own VPN servers that are used with Wi-Fi Security, so there is nothing more for you to configure other than installing the JiWire Hotspot Helper application and paying if you want unlimited use of the service.
Can I use Wi-Fi Security through wired connections?
No. JiWire's Wi-Fi Security and Wi-Fi Mailer are designed to function over Wi-Fi connections only.
Will Wi-Fi Security slow my network connection?
Depending on the performance of your computer and system load on JiWire's security servers, there may be a negligible impact on networking performance.
Wi-Fi Mailer
Why did I get an email from the JiWire Email Server regarding a forwarded message?
JiWire forwards your email through an SMTP relay whenever you are connected through our JiWire Hotspot Helper security service. If a user inadvertently replies to the "sender" address generated by our forwarding server instead of your email address, we will forward this reply to you as a courtesy. (This feature is available to paid JiWire Hotspot Helper users only.)
How many email messages can I send each day?
You can send 200 emails each day to an unlimited number of recipients (i.e., multiple recipients on one email only counts as one email).
Why did I get a message telling me that I have reached my email limit?
To thwart efforts by people to use JiWire Hotspot Helper to send out unlawful SPAM, JiWire Hotspot Helper's SMTP service allows user to send a maximum of 200 emails per day.
Do I need to change any settings to use Wi-Fi Mailer?
No, our SMTP servers automatically relay your email whenever Wi-Fi Security is active. That is what makes our SMTP service so unique and useful. No configuration is required.
Are my emails encrypted?
Like any network traffic sent over a Wi-Fi connection, your emails are encrypted until they reach JiWire's servers, after which they continue on to their destination unencrypted.
Will the recipient of my emails require any special software to read them?
No, recipients do not need any special software to receive emails because they are not encrypted when they are sent from JiWire's secure servers to their destination.
Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder
How often is the directory updated?
Maintaining the hotspot directory is an ongoing activity and one of our primary focuses. We generally update our directory once a week. The directory updates will be pushed automatically to your Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder database whenever you are connected to the Internet according to your settings in the Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder's preferences screen. To change your auto-update preferences, select the Preferences button on the bottom of your Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder screen.
I see that some hotspots have multiple service providers. What does that mean?
Some hotspots are serviced by a primary hotspot operator who has roaming agreements with other hotspot service providers. JiWire strives to provide information on all service providers and access options available at each hotspot location whenever possible.
What are the requirements for running Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder?
Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder runs on Windows Windows XP only. It has been designed for Internet Explorer 6.X. It requires at least 32MB of RAM and 35MB of free hard drive space. If you add countries to the offline database the application will take more space.
Will updates to my Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder database slow my network connection?
JiWire has worked hard to make the download as unobtrusive as possible. You should not notice a slowdown while the hotspot database is updating.
Is there a way to stop an update that's running?
You can quit Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder but the update will continue to run in the background You also can safely shut down your machine or disconnect from the Internet. If you are set up for automatic updates, the update will automatically pick up where it left off the next time you connect to the Internet.
Why can't I go to the Preferences screen while an update is running?
It is not possible to change and save your country list during an update. When the update is complete the Preferences screen will be available again.
Account Management
How do I change or reset my JiWire password?
Sign in to your JiWire member account from the My Account link on our site and then click on the link to update your profile. You can also reset your password from the "forgotten password" links on the sign-in page on our site or the registration window in JiWire Hotspot Helper. If you have purchased a JiWire Hotspot Helper subscription, you'll need to re-register your software with your new password.
I entered my username and password in the Purchase and Register page of JiWire Hotspot Helper but it keeps telling me that they are incorrect. What should I do?
Please click on the "forgotten password" link, and we will reset your password for you and send you an email containing your username and a new password. You may then enter this password into JiWire Hotspot Helper. If you have problems resetting your password or re-registering JiWire Hotspot Helper, please contact us.
How do I cancel my JiWire Hotspot Helper subscription?
As JiWire Hotspot Helper is no longer available for purchase, all existing customer accounts are set to automatically cancel (not renew) at the end of their subscription term. To find out your subscription end date, sign in to your account via the My Account page.
Contacting JiWire for Support
How can I contact JiWire for technical support?
If you still haven't found the answer to your question in these FAQs, please contact us for assistance. This page also lists our telephone contact information. Telephone support is provided free of charge to paying JiWire Hotspot Helper customers.
I have a complaint about a hotspot provider. Where do I send that complaint?
JiWire does not provide support for hotspot operator's networks. Please contact the company providing hotspot access in the location where you are connecting.
I know of a hotspot at my local coffee shop. Why isn't it listed in your directory?
Although we have the largest hotspot directory in the world, there is no way to keep up every single hotspot coming online each week. If a hotspot isn't listed that you think should be, send it to us using our hotspot submission form.
