Public Wi-Fi Points

Some public Wi-Fi access points have or will soon be established as part of the county’s Broadband work. The purpose of these points is two-fold. First, they can be a bridge to individuals who cannot yet or need additional access to broadband at home or work. Also, they will enhance broadband use in the county in numerous. For instance, the planned points at the county’s parks and fairgrounds open up significant education and live streaming opportunities.

Public Access Wi-Fi

These locations have been made available to the citizens with CARES Act funding in 2020. Click for more information about each access point.

Bradshaw Woods County Park, West Derrynane Street, Le Center, MN 56057

Derrynane Township Hall, 31225 St. Thomas Rd, Le Sueur, MN 56058
Estimated operational date, Spring 2021

Le Sueur County Fairgrounds, 320 S Plut Ave, Le Center, MN 56057 

Lexington Township Hall, 21861 Lexington Rd, Le Center, MN 56057
Under installation. Estimated operational December 2020. 

Ney Nature Center, 28238 Nature Center Lane, Henderson, MN 56044

Lake Washington Regional Park & Campground, 47102 Washington Park Road, Kasota, MN 56060

Other Public Access Wi-Fi locations in Le Sueur County

There are also several other public Wi-Fi access points at public schools and libraries.
 
Cleveland Public School, guest network
400 6th Street, Cleveland, MN 56017

Elysian Area Library
132 Main Street E, Elysian, MN 56028

Hilltop Elementary School, Le Sueur-Henderson Public Schools
700 South Street, Henderson, MN 56044

Le Center Public Library
10 West Tyrone Street, Le Center, MN 56057

Le Sueur Public Library
118 Ferry Street, Le Sueur, MN 56058

Le Sueur-Henderson High School
901 E. Ferry Street, Le Sueur, MN 56058

Lonsdale Elementary School, Tri-City United Public Schools
1000 Idaho St. SW, Lonsdale, MN 55046

Montgomery Public Library
104 Oak Avenue Southeast, Montgomery, MN 56069

Park Elementary School, Le Sueur-Henderson Public Schools
115 North Fifth Street, Le Sueur, MN 56058

Tri-City United High School
700 4th Street NW, Montgomery, MN 56069
Note: This network may close during high school football season

Tri-City United Le Center Elementary Middle School
150 West Tyrone Street, Le Center, MN, 56057

Waterville Public Library
210 Paquin Street, Waterville, MN 56096

What is Wi-Fi?

Public Wi-Fi is found in airports, shops, restaurants, and hotels. Sometimes these places are called hotspots. It allows access to the Internet for free. 

A public network is where anyone has access and can connect to the Internet. Conversely, a private network has restrictions, and access rules are established to restrict access. Sometimes, wireless access is free, and providers charge in others. Subscription-based hotspots are where a user needs to register an account.

A hotspot is a specific geographic location where an access point provides public wireless Internet. Typically, hotspots have a short range of access. To connect to a free public hotspot, move within range of the network, and your Wi-Fi card will automatically connect. 

Users may also employ physical hotspot devices. Sometimes those are available to loan through schools and libraries.
 
To use Wi-Fi, you must be using a computer with Wi-Fi connectivity. Newer notebooks, tablets, and smartphones will come equipped with Wi-Fi.

Stay safe on public Wi-Fi

The best way to know information is safe while using public Wi-Fi is to use a virtual private network (VPN) on your device. Follow these tips to protect information.

Don’t

  • Allow Wi-Fi to auto-connect to networks
  • Log in to an account with an app containing sensitive information like banking. Go to the website instead and verify it uses HTTPS before logging in
  • Leave Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enabled if you are not using them
  • Access websites that hold sensitive information like banking or medical
  • Log onto a network that isn’t password protected

Do

  • Disable file sharing
  • Only visit sites using HTTPS. If the site uses it, those letters will appear in the search box in front of the web address.
  • Log out of accounts when done using them
  • Use a VPN to ensure public Wi-Fi connections are private

Tips for Using Public Wi-Fi from Consumer Reports