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Wi-Fi, is a set of standards for wireless
local area networks (WLAN) based on the IEEE 802.11
specifications.
Wi-Fi was intended to be used for wireless LANs, but is now
often also used for Internet access. It enables a person with
a wireless-enabled computer or personal digital assistant
(PDA) to connect to the Internet by moving within, for
example, 15 meters of an access point, called a "hotspot".
Some Starbucks restaurants in the United States provide a hotspot for users
of the T-Mobile phone service. Other communication companies
have set up hot spots in many places around the world, access
is often available for a fee, and these systems are generally
very secure.
The Wireless Lan's main advantage was office workers could
move about their building without finding a lan socket or a
whole office floor could be rearranged without expensive
cabling relayed. Since the advent of broadband Internet and as
the family moves from one computer to perhaps two or more,
WiFi has caught on in the home. Also the dropping price of
WiFi gear lets everyone in the home gain access to a fast
internet connection, some new laptops and PDA's even have a
WiFi adaptor built in.
WiFi is not without it's problems, in fact several hidden
dangers can be found often when it too late. Security is the
main problem with WiFi and many companies refuse to adopt it
because of this, when you purchase a new access point it is
normally set to the lowest security level. This lets you get
it working quickly but you can leave your computer wide open
for attack.
The term Wardriving is the term often given to questionable
activity of people who drive around cities looking for access
points that are wide open broadcasting not only the internet
but some of a networks data and files. One case in Canada
highlighted this problem when a guy parked in a residential
street was downloading child pornography via someone's
internet connection. He was caught by police who were
patrolling the area, but the problem could arise once the
offender leaves and not only are you faced with excess
download charges but also questioning about the content
downloaded via your IP address. Its also
not uncommon when first setting up your wireless network that you stumble
across extra computers on your network that may actually belong to one of
your neighbors, one of the first signs of a poorly set up security system.
this would leave your neighbor wide open for any virus you got or any
downloads via the network, and if it can happen to him it can happen to
you.
WiFi can be a great product but it must
be setup correctly, also newer WiFi devices are more secure
than older ones, so don't skimp an the cash and purchase a
brand new WiFi device rather than a second hand unit.
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