What Is Wi-Fi?

Date First Published: 3rd February 2022

Topic: Computer Networking

Subtopic: Data Transmission Technologies

Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty: Easy

Difficulty Level: 2/10

CONTENTS

Is Wi-Fi Secure?
How Does Wi-Fi Provide An Internet Connection Without Any Wires?
Interferences
History

Learn more about what Wi-Fi is in this article.

Wi-Fi is a wireless technology used for connecting nearby devices to a wireless router using radio waves. Wireless routers offer transmission of data to Wi-Fi compatible devices, such as computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, televisions, and more. When devices connect to Wi-Fi, they use radio waves to search for nearby wireless networks, most of which require a password to connect. Wi-Fi eliminates the need for the use of any wires or cables to connect from a router to a device.

Note:

The word 'Wi-Fi' comes from the non-profit organisation, Wi-Fi Alliance. In addition, multiple parts of the IEEE 802 protocol are used by Wi-Fi, which is designed to connect with its wired version, Ethernet.

Note:

The official spelling of this network technology is Wi-Fi, although it is sometimes spelt other ways, such as Wifi. Although it has been believed that it is short for 'Wireless Fidelity' for a long time, that has never been the official full word for Wi-Fi as it is a brand name owned by the Wi-Fi Alliance.

Note:

Wi-Fi is pronounced 'Why-Fy', not 'Wee-fee' or 'Wif-fee'.

Is Wi-Fi Secure?

Wi-Fi transmits data over radio waves. Wi-Fi that is only used by the users in a house is much more secure, since it is only accessible to a limited number of users. When using public Wi-Fi, like Wi-Fi in coffee shops and airports, it becomes insecure when entering sensitive information, such as financial details. This is because it is accessible to anyone without any restrictions and the data sent could be intercepted by unauthorised users.

How Does Wi-Fi Provide An Internet Connection Without Any Wires?

Wi-Fi can easily provide an internet connection without the use of any wires because it uses radio waves to provide network connectivity. Connections are made using the router, which is provided by the internet service provider. Wi-Fi can only cover a limited distance and the distance varies, depending on the type of Wi-Fi and internet service provider.

Interferences

Home appliances, walls, and other objects can obstruct the Wi-Fi connection and result in a weaker signal with fewer signal bars. Microwaves have an effect on the Wi-Fi connection as microwaves release radiation waves in one direction and Wi-Fi releases waves in all directions. Microwaves always interfere with Wi-Fi signals when they are running and cause a slower internet connection. Both microwaves and Wi-Fi are physically the same as they are both forms of electromagnetic radiation.

The closer a device is to a microwave when it is running, the slower the internet connection will be. This has no effect on devices that use other forms of network technology, such as Ethernet, since they are not Wi-Fi. Most devices have signal bars that show the strength of the Wi-Fi connection. The more bars, the stronger the Wi-Fi connection.

History

Wi-Fi was first introduced when the first version of the 802.11 protocol was released in September 1997. This is a set of protocols and standards that provides the basics for devices to connect to wireless networks and enables devices to be authenticated using usernames and passwords. The first version of the 802.11 protocol provided link speeds of up to 2 Mb/s.

In 1999, it was updated with 802.11b (a newer version of the 802.11 protocol) in order to enable faster link speeds of up to 11 Mb/s. The Wi-Fi trademark was held by the Wi-Fi Alliance in 1999 when they formed as a trade association. The earliest known time that Wi-Fi was commercially used was August 1999 and the word 'Wi-Fi' was actually invented by the company, Interbrand when the Wi-Fi Alliance hired them to create a name that was more memorable and less wordy than IEEE 802.11b Direct Sequence.

There were ten possible names that were invented by Interbrand, but Phil Belanger’s, a founding member of the Wi-Fi Alliance, stated that the word 'Wi-Fi' was chosen out of those ten possible names. It is clear that the word 'Wi-Fi' has no further meaning.