Wireless Connectivity (Wi-Fi)  

To enable the Hotspot function on your mobile device, please submit a service request to the National Service Desk. Important to note when using the mobile hotspot feature for any device:

• Any time you use your device’s mobile hotspot feature, ensure that you have enabled password protection to protect all the devices you are connecting to the hot spot. It is recommended that you not save this password automatically, but re-enter it each time.
• Using this feature can significantly impact your data usage because when the hotspot feature is on, all data use on your phone and connected devices will be counted. Consider turning off the mobile hotspot feature when you're not using it.
• Having both the 4G and hotspot features on drains your phone's battery much more quickly than other features. It's best to plug in your phone while using it as a hotspot if possible.

BlackBerry or other smart device

1. Swipe down from the top of the home screen.
2. Tap Settings ❯ Network Connections ❯ Mobile Hotspot.
3. The first time you use your hotspot, tap Set up Wi-Fi hotspot. Change the name of your hotspot (Network SSID) and security settings, and create your strong password and then tap Save.
4. Set the Mobile Hotspot switch to On.
5. Select your Mobile Hotspot name on the device you want to connect to your mobile hotspot, as if you were connecting to any other Wi-Fi network. Enter your password and tap Connect.

Tablet

1. Start ❯ Settings ❯ Network & Internet ❯ Mobile hotspot
2. For Share my Internet connection from, choose the Internet connection you want to share.
3. Select Edit ❯ enter a new network name and strong password ❯ Save.
4. Turn on Share my Internet connection with other devices.
5. To connect on the other device, go to the Wi-Fi settings on that device, find your network name, select it, enter the password, and then connect.

Step 1 – Find the Wi-Fi network

1. Select the Wireless Access icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of the screen).
2. A list of public Wi-Fi networks within range of your device will be displayed.
3. Select the desired public Wi-Fi network.
4. Select Connect.

Step 2 – Internet Explorer

1. Open Internet Explorer and turn the proxies off.
2. Press the Refresh button or F5, and the landing page for the Wi-Fi host should load.
   • Alternately, type in yahoo.ca or google.com and press enter. You should be redirected to the landing page for the Wi-Fi host.
3. Most public Wi-Fi that is trustworthy requires you to enter a code, or accept the terms of use. Follow the instructions on the landing page.
4. Once you receive confirmation that you are connected, turn Internet Explorer’s proxies on again.

Step 3 – Connect to VPN

Log into the VPN service using your network name and password as normal.

1. In the device Settings, select Wi-Fi.
2. A list of public Wi-Fi networks within range of your device will be displayed.
3. Select the desired public Wi-Fi network.
4. Select Connect.
5. Enter the public Wi-Fi password, if you are prompted to do so. Some connections require you to open an internet page and enter the public Wi-Fi password on that page; in these cases, follow the provided instructions.

Public Wi-Fi networks are those found in airports, hotels, coffee shops and other public locations and are usually free.

Your home wireless (Wi-Fi) network can also be considered a public Wi-Fi, but you can control who uses it with a password.

By its nature, public Wi-Fi is beyond the control and oversight of ESDC and it is not protected by the department’s IT security measures. Using public Wi-Fi securely is relatively simple, and you can protect yourself, your computer, and the departmental network and its information assets by following departmental guidelines.

The Wi-Fi summary table will help you to distinguish between public Wi-Fi and similar services.

Public Wi-Fi is beyond the control and oversight of ESDC, and it is not protected by the department’s IT security. Whenever you are connecting an ESDC device to a public Wi-Fi network, you should take the appropriate steps to avoid potential security threats.

Departmental guidelines provide instruction for using a public Wi-Fi connection securely, and should be reviewed prior to using any Wi-Fi connection.

• IT Security Bulletin: Acceptable Use of Public Wireless Networks
• Directive on Using your Laptop/Notebook over a Wi-Fi Connection (DOC, 35 KB)
• The IT Security Awareness e-learning program and read the guidelines for Telework and Remote Access (DOCX, 418 KB)
• Security’s Easy Action Toolkit and Do’s and Don’ts

Employees must ensure that in using a public Wi-Fi connection:

• A VPN connection is used to transmit or receive secure information (up to and including Protected B).
• Sensitive information (Protected C and Classified/Secret) is never sent or received.
• The public Wi-Fi network connection is closed as soon as work is complete.

Testing a Wi-Fi (or Network) Connection

To determine if the Wi-Fi connection is working or there is a good connection to the internet with your computer, turn the proxies off and on.

Step 1

Before connecting to FortiClient, turn off the proxies in Internet Explorer.

1. Log into Windows.
2. Open Internet Explorer.
3. Tools > Internet Options > Local Area Network (LAN) Settings
4. Under Proxy Server, de-select Use a proxy server for your LAN.
5. OK > Apply > OK
6. Try navigating to a webpage, like www.google.ca or www.cbc.ca to check the internet connection.

Step 2

To turn the proxies back on in Internet Explorer.

1. Tools > Internet Options > Local Area Network (LAN) Settings
2. Under Proxy Server, select the checkbox next to Use a proxy server for your LAN.
3. OK > Apply > OK

Once the proxies are reinstated, start FortiClient and login.

Refer to your Windows Taskbar at the bottom right corner of your Windows screen (the ‘system tray’), where you see a series of icons next to today’s date and time.

ESDC laptops and tablets are intended to be enabled, and should be able to connect to the Employee Wi-Fi service in any location that provides it; refer to the instructions for confirming an Employee Wi-Fi connection.

If you are unable to connect to the service, you can submit an online request to the National Service Desk. Be sure to include any error message you received while attempting to do so.

Confirm that you have not exited the area that is enabled to provide Employee Wi-Fi service.

If you have been moving your device, try returning to your former location.

Look for a toggle switch on your device or in your network options menu to ensure that your wireless capability is turned on.

Guest Wi-Fi requires an authorized ESDC requestor (i.e. manager or above, or their delegate) to submit an online request in advance to the National Service Desk for a Guest Wi-Fi username and password, which will then be provided to the expected guest.

There are also certain hardware and knowledge requirements for guests of ESDC who use this service; see the Guest Wi-Fi User Guide (PDF, 536 KB) for more information.