New Skins: Transparent and Basic

We are happy to introduce 2 more Skins: Transparent and Basic.

You can easily use Transparent Skin with your own background to give a branded customer experience. The steps can be found here.

Basic Skin has a basic black and white layout but it's easier to customize further than the other coloured Skins.

You can view the full Skin Gallery here: http://www.hotspotsystem.com/customer/skinpreview/

Hotspot Firmware Comparison

We have released a new firmware recently, called 'HotspotWRT'.

The firmware is more stable compared to DD-WRT, so if you have lots of users, consider switching to it. Firmware is based on OpenWRT/White Russian/CoovaAP.

You can find out whether your router is supported on this page. (Status must be "Supported")

Here's the HotspotWRT Installation Guide.

We have also made a hotspot firmware comparison table.

'HOTSPOTWRT' Unique features:

- Very easy installation, you need to enter your operator username and location ID into the firmware and you are done

- Front Led Feedback of Current Condition of Hotspot (Yellow=Hotspot is running, White=Hotspot is not running, but internet is working, No light=No internet)

Unique features over DD-WRT:

- Local MAC Address Authentication (in DD-WRT there is only a radius based mac authentication for hotspots which we don't support)

- Add Whole Subdomains to the Allowed Domain List (*.domain.com)

- Add/Delete Netmask to the Allowed List

- Add/Delete Allowed IP:Port to the Allowed List


IMPORTANT NOTE: THE FIRMWARE DOESN'T SUPPORT MULTIPLE SSID's SO DON'T UPGRADE IF YOU USE THIS FUNCTION.

Don't hesitate to ask us about the new firmware via the Help Desk.

HotspotSystem.com Releases New Firmware for Wi-Fi Routers

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY--(Marketwire - Aug. 25, 2009) - Now all places where there is a need for Wi-Fi - whether it be hotels, campgrounds or cafes around the world - can benefit from a new hotspot firmware, whether they want to allow free internet access to their guests or charge money for the service.

With "HotspotWRT", a new firmware by HotspotSystem.com, people can have their own hotspot up and running within a few minutes. No need to buy expensive hardware, no additional computers required - the system can run on low-cost routers, like Linksys WRT54GL.

"Wi-Fi access is now a must have service that busy locations need to provide." said Oliver Faludi, Managing Director of HotspotSystem.com. "Even if they would like to provide the internet for free, they still need a Wi-Fi management software allowing them to control their users, especially in EU countries where the law requires a register of those customers using public internet."

Using the "HotspotWRT" Firmware and the services of HotspotSystem.com, operators can give unique vouchers to their customers which allows them to use the internet for a limited time. They can also request that users register before they are able to use the service. It is also possible to charge a fee for access, using the built-in revenue stream which comes with the service. Operators can create access packages and create their own pricing using their local currency.

"Since people might not have enough technical knowledge to setup a hotspot service, they need a system which is very easy to set up. They can buy the equipment for themselves, then register on our website. After that, installation only takes about 10 minutes." Oliver Faludi says. "Big companies such as Boingo stopped their "Hotspot In a Box" service for smaller operators, but there is still a big demand. We receive 10-20 registrations daily from all around the world."

Additionally, the company offers a White Label solution for local IT companies, allowing them to sell the system on using their own branding. Hotspot System then provide installation and support for their local partners and each company takes a split of the revenue.

New Skin Color Options

We have released new skin colors to our Generic Skin. You can change the skin of your hotspot splash page in the Control Center by clicking Manage > Locations, then click on hotspot name, then Modify Hotspot Data > Splash Page settings. You will find the Skin selector there. More specific skin options will be available soon, for example for cafes, hotels, campgrounds, etc. so stay tuned.

See skin previews here: http://www.hotspotsystem.com/customer/skinpreview/

How to continue your Boingo Hotspot In a Box Service?

If you are looking for Boingo's Hotspot In a Box solution, don't look further. Boingo has stopped this service recently, but we can offer a perfect alternative.

It has came to our attention that Boingo stopped offering their Hotspot In a Box service to businesses recently.

In 2004 Boingo was one of the first companies who offered a service to small businesses which enabled them to create a Wi-Fi hotspot service.

Now hundreds (or thousands?) of them left without the service, the question is what they can do now?

The answer: continue the service with HotSpotSystem.com.

HotSpotSystem.com service can also run perfectly on several routers, including Linksys WRT54GL, Mikrotik, Ubiquity or others, so they can offer the same service (with added benefits like creating their own pricing, using their own currency, and a lot more).

Click here to find out how to create a pay-per-use hotspot or a free hotspot.

To order a Hotspot In a Box, an all-in-one unit, pre-flashed with hotspot software, you need to create an account first and order the Hotspot In a Box package from the Wi-FI shop, within the Control Center.

DD-WRT v24 SP1 httpd vulnerability

As reported at www.miw0rm.com there is a vulnerability in the http-server for the DD-WRT management GUI that can be used for execution of an exploit to gain control over the router.

By default, if you have used our DD-WRT install guide, followed those steps only, and didn't enable the remote web gui management in the router, your router is safe.

BUT if you have enabled the remote web gui management in the Administration tab AND your router is connected directly to the internet (is not behind another router, but is connecting to the ADSL modem directly with an ADSL username or password for example), your router is vulnerable and you should do one of the following to make your router safe:

- You can turn off the remote web gui management under the Administration tab in the router's admin panel if you don't need this function

- You can update your firewall settings through the Administration > Commands tab. Press EDIT in the firewall section and paste these commands into the box:

insmod ipt_webstr
ln -s /dev/null /tmp/exec.tmp
iptables -D INPUT -p tcp -m tcp -m webstr --url cgi-bin -j REJECT --reject-with tcp-reset
iptables -I INPUT -p tcp -m tcp -m webstr --url cgi-bin -j REJECT --reject-with tcp-reset

then press "Save Firewall" and reboot your router.

If you do this, be sure that if you have HTTPS Management turned ON under > Administration > Management > Remote Access, then turn it off.

- You can replace the DD-WRT firmware to a newer one (latest is v24 preSP2 build 12533), you can download it from dd-wrt.com using the router search. However, this firmware is a beta firmware, so use it at your own risk. The setup command from the Control Center should work, but be sure to reset the firmware to factory defaults before using the command.

- You can change your firmware to CoovaAP. Only do this if you don't use special functions in DD-WRT like the secondary SSID function.

Featured Client: Beach Road Hotel, Cambodia

From time to time we introduce some of our clients. This month's featured client is Beach Road Hotel in Cambodia with white sand beaches, beautiful nature and great nightlife. Here're some photos of the location:





They have also printed "Wi-FI Internet Hotspot by HotspotSystem.com" to a large banner:






About the installation:

Buffalo is controlling everything, it's in the office, so cat5 is going to
bar/reception area where's small d-link ap and other one goes to big antenna where's big d-link ap and big antenna, we also plan to put couple of ap-s to the back of the hotel area, so everything is filled, because big antenna makes pretty much black hole where it is, but in the mean time it's working well around the hotel, like 500m from hotel is pretty good reception, so all the ap-s have same SSID called BEACH ROAD HOTEL.

And what do they say about our system?

HotSpotSystem Rocks!
We tried different services before, bought also separate pc system for controlling the internet, but nothing really worked better than hotspotsystem, as long you have internet for sale you're on board...

Thanks Tarmo for the photos, detailed explanation and testimonal.

Would you like to see your location in our blog? Just send your pictures with a short explanation to us!