After seeing firsthand the perils of using an open WiFi network last week I resolved to post about tethering a Nokia smartphone to an Ubuntu-powered laptop or netbook via USB, as a public service to those who didn’t know that they could. Count me among them — or at least among those who didn’t realize how ridiculously easy it is!

This first step is the hardest, in that it’s the least intuitive. When you connect your Nokia to your Ubuntu box make sure you select ‘PC Suite’. This will activate the USB modem connection on the Nokia side.

From here on in it’s dead simple. You can fire up Network Connections from your System Administration panel, or even easier, click on ‘New Mobile Broadband Connection’ in your Network Manager Applet’s drop-down menu at the top of your screen. You should be presented with this window, with your Nokia device already selected.

The latest release of Ubuntu (10.04 as of this writing) includes a database of carriers worldwide. Note the presence of Canadian newcomer WIND Mobile in the menu seen above.

Once you’ve made your selection your carrier’s settings are automatically loaded — no more searching HoFo!

You could also use JoikuSpot, an S60/Symbian app that rebroadcasts your cellular data connection as a WiFi hotspot, to reach the same end — provided you have 64 or 128-bit encryption turned on. But since you’ll need an AC cable anyway (JoikuSpot drains your Nokia’s battery in fairly short order) why not take a USB connector instead and enjoy a virtually impenetrable connection to the Internet wherever you go?

With some help from Simon at KnowNokia.ca I’m hoping to delve further into the security risks of open WiFi hotspots in a future post. I’d also like to write about tethering to Ubuntu from other mobile OSes but alas, I’m a Nokia user so that’s all I know.

Maybe you can help me out with a comment below..?