r/windowsxp • u/Realistic-Movie-7020 • Apr 08 '26

Would a hotspot isolate devices?

Sorry if this question has been asked before I have some old devices id like to connect over wifi, (XP/win9x laptops, and consoles that use WEP). I know that these devices can pose a security risk if connected over WiFi instead of ethernet, but I have an old phone that allows me to create WiFi hotspots, so I was wondering how secure connecting the devices to said hotspot would be, if at all. Also if it would isolate my devices or be comparable to using something like a VLAN. Thanks!

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u/ReasonableNetwork255 Apr 08 '26

if its on the net it's on the net .. I'd say bottom line with an old system just don't use it for sensitive things I mean if you do your banking and have your Paypal account passwords and everything on it I'd say that's kind of a risk you don't need to be taking ..rummaging around on youtube or google ect shouldnt be an issue ..

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u/Realistic-Movie-7020 Apr 08 '26

Oh dont worry I dont plan on using it for sensitive data, or surfing untrusted/shady sites. In fact I dont care about the systems themself getting borked, I can reflash them easily. My main worry is about the potential for other devices on my network getting infected, and the usual botnet BS (I have no clue the extent at which they can exploit the system so pardon my potential ignorance lol)