What Is Wireless Internet?

At the most basic, wireless internet access – sometimes called Wi-Fi internet access – is a high speed, broadband connection to the internet free of cables or phone lines, which limit the movement of the consumer’s computer.

How Does Wireless Internet Work?

High speed wireless internet requires the consumer to have a wireless card installed in or connected to their computer. This card uploads and downloads data, voice, and video, via radio waves, to a wireless router. The wireless router, which is a small electronic box, is connected to the internet by a telephone line or coaxial cable that connects to an internet service provider (ISP). The router converts the data, voice, or video transmissions being sent upstream (to the internet from the consumer’s computer) or downstream (from the internet to the consumer’s computer) from radio waves to digital signals and vice versa.

Wireless routers broadcast their high speed internet connection in a limited range, referred to as a “hot spot.” A hot spot is a wireless local area network – frequently called a LAN – that provides a wireless internet connection through the wireless router.

There are two types of wireless internet hot spots – free or public hot spots, which allow the consumer to connect to the internet free of charge, without providing a password and closed or private hot spots, which allow only certain users to access the internet through the router by the use of passwords.

Use of Wireless Internet Access

Many consumers choose to set-up private hot spots in their homes or businesses. This allows the consumer – and employees – to access the internet at high speeds from any computer that has a wireless card and the password to connection.

At the same time, many public and private entities are choosing to provide free wireless internet access to their customers, clients, and visitors. It is now common to find wireless hot spots in coffee houses, hotels, libraries, restaurants, and airports. Additionally, many universities and some municipalities have invested in providing multiple hot spots for students and residents, respectively.

Security Concerns

Any information sent over free or public wireless internet connections can be compromised; therefore, security consultants recommend against logging onto or visiting sites that involve passwords or transmission of private data – such as social security numbers of credit card account numbers – in a public area.