Information on WiFi Internet
Wifi means wireless broadband. In other words, it is fast-paced broad band Internet without wires. It is especially useful if you use a laptop or other portable Internet devices as you can connect to the web at any point within the Wifi's range without hooking your computer up to cumbersome cables.
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History
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According to the site Wifi, wireless technology began to be used in the late 1990s in Silicon Valley, Calif., as part of office computer networks. The coverage area of around 25 meters could be used by 20 employees, who each had a portable computer with a wireless adaptor fitted.
How Does it Work?
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To use WiFi you need broadband Internet and a wireless router. According to site Some Wifi, the router receives Internet data from your ethernet connection, which is a physical wire connected to your telephone line. It then translates that data into a radio signal and transmits it to the wireless adaptor embedded in your computer. The speed of data transfer depends on the speed of your broadband. In a high-quality network, you can get a 24 megabits per second connection; however, this depends on how many people are using the network at a given time. Reportedly, speeds as high as 140 megabits per second are possible.
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Security
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If you wish to install a Wifi router, you must install a password on your system. If you don't then anyone on the street or a nearby office can connect to your Internet system and use it. Ensure that you use a strong password (nothing easily traceable to you or your family). A random mix of letters and numbers is best.
How Can I Make My Computer Wireless?
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To connect your wireless router you need to make sure that your computer is Wifi enabled. Most new laptops have a Wifi capacity built in; however, if yours does not then you need to buy a wireless adaptor which you then plug into your computer's USB drive or PC card. Once the hardware is in, then you must install the corresponding software so that your computer will automatically search for new networks.
Mobile Applications and Wifi
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Many mobile phones, such as Blackberry, iPhone and Android, are Wifi enabled. This means if your phone can connect to a wireless hot spot or router, you can surf the web without using your mobile operator's Internet service, and save money. Some Internet services, however, are blocked by some mobile operators particularly if they conflict with their business. For example, the New York Times has reported that as of February 2010, the free Internet voice communications tool Skype is still blocked by most operators in Europe and the U.S.
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References
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