How Does Wireless Internet for a Laptop Work?

"Wi-Fi"

Wireless Internet (often abbreviated as simply "wi-fi") is a way for desktop and laptop computers to connect to the Internet without the use of phone lines or ethernet cables. This is especially convenient for laptop computers due to their portable nature. All a laptop needs to connect to a wireless Internet network is a wireless card - on older laptops they plugged into a slot on the side, on newer ones they are built in. This card would read the signal being emitted from the source of the wireless network, usually a modem connected to a wireless router, and decode it into data that could then be used by the laptop.

Range

Wireless networks vary in range depending on their use. Most wireless routers used for home purposes have a range of around 120 feet, which means that a user could take their laptop up to that distance away from the router and still have access to the Internet. Large-scale wireless networks (the kind found on college campuses and in some major cities) can broadcast a signal with a range of several miles if necessary.

Security

Security must be considered with a wireless network. Though it is convenient to be able to take your laptop with you, and connect to the internet wherever you go, most wireless networks have the default setting of "unsecured." This means that data is being sent out over the network unencrypted, and that anyone connected to the network could potentially access any data you are sending or receiving. An encryption solution called "Wi-Fi Protected Access" enables you to lock down your network, requiring a person to enter a key before being granted access.