I will be travelling overseas and am hoping to "connect" my mobile to my iPad and MacBook. Just not sure what is the difference between these three, and which would be the best way to go.
I understand tethering is via USB. Does it mean that it is more secure/stable/faster than Hotspot which to me is to work like a wireless modem. Also HotSpot is for multiple devices whilst tethering is only for one device.
Thanx in advance.
Hotspot is when you use somebody's access point for the Internet, e.g. a cafe or a library. Usually free, but sometimes access has to be paid for, usually by CC payment over the Internet.
Tethering is the use of a mobile phone or a mobile router to access the Internet via a mobile data account. Tethering can be via USB or via WiFi, your phone or mobile router becomes a hotspot.
Bluetooth is a very short range wireless technology mainly used to connect devices together, e.g. a keyboard to a tablet, speakers to a mobile phone. It usually isn't used for Internet connections as WiFi is most commonly used.
So for a traveller, free WiFi is good where you can get it. Tethering implies you have a mobile data SIM which involves getting a SIM and paying for mobile data overseas.
One more thing is that free WiFi usually means there is no encryption of the WiFi session, as no password is required. This means that any web browsing you do, unless using HTTPS, can be snooped on by anybody in the same WiFi network. Choose HTTPS sessions with your websites whenever possible, and be aware that HTTP sessions may be visible to everybody. While sessions with banks, etc are HTTPS, all the same don't do transactions if you can avoid it. However I would definitely choose my mobile or tablet with HTTPS over a fixed Internet terminal which you don't know whether it has a virus.
There is one more wrinkle with accessing banks, etc. from overseas. They can detect that access is from overseas and may overzealously block the session or require a second authentication factor, like a code that is SMSed to you. So you might want to enable roaming on your mobile. Receiving SMSes is free. Other access cost money, usually lots.
"I understand tethering is via USB. Does it mean that it is more secure…"
Arguably yes, but a solid password on your phone for WiFi tethering will be just as secure.
Either set a nice long and complex password (not 0zb@rga1n or Password2) for WiFi tethering (you can share it with multiple people though with WiFi) or just use USB (you can charge the phone too)
I just set a really long random password before I travel and use WiFi because I cba plugging it in.
The only thing to remember is that wifi tethering is quite a drain on your battery. If you intend to use your phone a lot that day, you might want to look into usb tethering instead.
Thank you all for your kind sharing. I think I understand a lot more now..
https://www.vodafone.com.au/personal/mobile-internet/mobile-…
You can tether your device to your IPad/Mac using BT, WIFI, or USB. It doesn't matter which method you use, they all invovle using your phone as a modem.
Obviously tethering via USB will allow your phone to charge a little while it is acting as a modem, but it is limited to 1 computer. If you want multiple devices or if you want to tether to an iPad, you must use the Wifi Hotspot feature.