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What is Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)?
Wi-Fi is a wireless telecommunications technology that allows computing devices to connect to a local area network (LAN) without Ethernet cables.
Wi-Fi, which is often thought to stand for “wireless fidelity,” is not an acronym. It is actually a backronym the Wi-Fi Alliance used to make the 802.11 wireless communication standards easier for consumers to understand and remember.
Over time, Wi-Fi has become a generic synonym for network connections that use 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz radio frequency bands radio frequency (RF) bands to transmit and receive data. For the sake of clarity, the rest of this definition will use the term Wi-Fi generically.
Key Takeaways
- Wi-Fi is a brand name for wireless communication technology based on the IEEE 802.11 standard.
- The term Wi-Fi is used generically to describe network connections that use radio signals instead of cables to transmit and receive data.
- Technically, Wi-Fi uses 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz radio frequency bands to transmit and receive data.
- Wi-Fi communication should be encrypted with WPA2 or WPA3 protocols to prevent unauthorized access.
- Public Wi-Fi may not use encryption, so it is less safe to use without a VPN.
Wi-Fi History
The evolution of Wi-Fi can be traced back to 1971 when the University of Hawaii developed AlohaNet to connect campus computers spread across the islands.
Early wireless technology was limited in terms of speed, range, and reliability, however, and further improvements in modulation techniques and error correction were needed to make wireless networking practical for widespread use.
In 1985, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 900 MHz frequency bands for unlicensed use. This paved the way for the establishment of the first 802.11 standard for wireless networking by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in 1997.
In 1999, a consortium of vendors established the Wi-Fi Alliance to promote the adoption of the 802.11b standard and create certification criteria to ensure wireless interoperability across devices from different manufacturers. The Alliance holds the rights to the Wi-Fi name and logo.
The name “Wi-Fi” is a brand name that was created by the Wi-Fi Alliance to help people understand wireless networking technology based on the IEEE 802.11 standards.
How Wi-Fi Works
Wi-Fi allows devices that have a Wi-Fi network adapter to connect wirelessly to a wireless router. When one networked device wants to send data to another device on the same Wi-Fi network, it uses radio waves with 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 900 MHz frequencies to send the data to the router.
The router then forwards that data to the intended recipient. If the router is connected to a modem that connects to an Internet Service Provider (ISP), it can provide Internet connectivity to devices on the local area network.
Wi-Fi routers function as a central hub for local devices, routing their data to and from the Internet via a modem and ISP.
Types of Wi-Fi
Technically, Wi-Fi can be categorized by its mode of operation.
Wi-Fi Standards
Wi-Fi standards are defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and are labeled as 802.11 followed by a letter or combination of letters.
Different versions of the Wi-Fi standard (802.11b, 802.11ac, etc.) specify different speeds, frequencies, and capabilities.
Wi-Fi Security Protocols
Wi-Fi security protocols are designed to protect wireless networks and ensure that only authorized users can access the data being transmitted. The most common Wi-Fi security protocols are:
- WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2): Relies on AES encryption and is commonly used for home and small office networks.
- WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3): Provides better encryption and protection against password-based attacks.
Uses of Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi can support different types of network configurations, including:
Wi-Fi Security Concerns
Wi-Fi security concerns primarily revolve around eavesdropping and data interception. Public Wi-Fi networks, in particular, pose security risks since they are often unencrypted and are more susceptible to man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks.
The attacker intercepts communication between a device and the Wi-Fi router to eavesdrop on or alter the data being transmitted.
The attacker sets up a fake Wi-Fi network that uses the same (or similar) name as a legitimate network. When users connect to the fake network, the attacker can steal data like login credentials or monitor activity.
The attacker uses a tool like Wireshark to capture and analyze data packets being transmitted over the Wi-Fi network.
The attackers intercept DNS requests on the Wi-Fi network and redirect users to malicious websites.
The attacker uses brute force techniques to guess the Wi-Fi network password.
The attacker floods the Wi-Fi network with interference or overwhelming traffic, making the network unusable.
The attacker exploits vulnerabilities in the WPS protocol, which was designed for easy device connection, by brute-forcing the WPS PIN.
Benefits and Limitations of Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi offers several benefits and limitations that affect its use in different environments.
Here’s a breakdown:
Benefits
- Eliminates the need for physical cables
- Allows devices to connect to a Wi-Fi network automatically after the initial setup
- Provides a cost-effective way for mobile devices to connect to the Internet
Limitations
- Wi-Fi has a limited range
- Wi-Fi speeds can be slower than wired Ethernet connections
- When multiple devices are connected to a Wi-Fi network, they share available bandwidth, which can result in slower data transfer rates
Future Trends in Wi-Fi Technology
Wi-Fi 8, the next major evolution of Wi-Fi, is expected to support higher frequencies in the mmWave spectrum. There are also rumors about new antenna designs for better signal strength and coverage.
The Bottom Line
Wi-Fi allows smartphones, laptops, and smart home gadgets, to use radio waves to connect to a local network. Many Wi-Fi definitions mention that Wi-Fi stands for “wireless fidelity,” but the term is really a brand name for a family of wireless network protocols based on the IEEE 802.11 standard.
