what is wifi The development on WI-FI technology began in 1997 when the Institute of Electric al and Electronic Engineers

(IEEE) introduced the 802.11 technology that carried higher capacities of data across the network. "Wifi" means "wireless fidelity". The term "wifi" refers to (WLAN) wireless local area networks.

Wi-Fi is also spelled as WiFi, Wi-Fi, Wifi, or wifi. WiFi is a popular term that is used referring to wireless communications between computers and other comput er related devices. If you have high speed Internet (DSL, Cable, Satellite, etc) and have a piece of equipment that is called a wireless router, then you have W iFi. The main benefit of WiFi is cordless internet access. This means that while using a WiFi laptop computer you can browse the internet from your couch. If yo u own a WiFi Internet Radio you can listen to over 14,000 stations in your bedro om, kitchen, or bathroom. Some cell phones have WiFi internet access also. There are several different types of WiFi, but the end result is still the same, wireless communication.

Wi-Fi is technically an industry term that represents a type of wireless local a rea network (LAN) protocol based on the 802.11 IEEE network standards. It's the most popular means of communicating data wirelessly, within a fixed location, to day. "Wi-Fi" is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance, an international association of companies involved with wireless LAN technologies and products. Wi-fi is commonly mistaken as an acronymn for "wireless fidelity" and often you may also see it spelled without the hyphen (wifi). Wi-Fi uses radio networks to transmit data between its nodes. Such networks are made up of cells that provide coverage across the network. The more the number of cells, the greater and stronger is the coverage on the radio network. The r adio technology is a complete package deal as it offers a safe and consistent co nnectivity.

Wifi networks are available in both forms open as well as closed. In "Open" syst em anyone can use it while in "Closed" system, a password is essential for usi ng it. Nowadays most laptops are available in the market already equipped with i nternal wireless networking cards. Wifi Hotspots

Wifi hotspots are places where you can find wifi, free or paid. Wi-Fi is quicke r than the conventional modem for accessing information over a large network. Wi th the help of different amplifiers, the users can easily change their location without disruption in their network access. Wi-Fi devices are compliant with ea ch other to grant efficient access of information to the user. Wi-Fi location w here the users can connect to the wireless network is called a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Through the Wi-Fi hotspot, the users can even enhance their home business as acc

essing information through Wi-Fi is simple. Accessing a wireless network throug h a hotspot in some cases is cost-free while in some it may carry additional cha rges. Computers (and other devices) connect to hotspots using a Wi-Fi network ad apter.

Newer laptop computers contain built-in adapters, but most other computers do no t. Wi-Fi network adapters can be purchased and installed separately. Depending o n the type of computer and personal preferences, USB, PC Card, ExpressCard, or e ven PCI card adapters can be used.

Computers can automatically scan for hotspots within range of their wireless sig nal. These scans identify the network name (SSID) of the hotspot allowing the co mputer to initiate a connection.

Instead of using a computer to find hotspots, some people prefer to use a separa te gadget called a Wi-Fi finder. These small devices scan for hotspot signals si milarly to computers, and many provide some indication of signal strength to hel p pinpoint their exact location.

Advantages:

Convenient and sometimes free High Speed Connection to the Internet Faster than Dial-Up, Edge or even 3G VPN and HTTPS are still mostly secure If your device has a firewall (and it s enabled), you should be ok (99% of the time). Disadvantages:

Virus Attack / Device Hacking Depending how your Mobile device / PC is confi gured, other people might be able to attack your device while it s connected to th e Wi-Fi. Data Theft Unencrypted data such as surfing your GMAIL account can be captur ed as it s being transmitted back and forth between the Wi-Fi Network and on the W i-Fi Network. Account Theft Webmail, MySpace, YouTube, FaceBook etc and other login informa tion can be stolen by other people on the network if it s not encrypted. o Connecting to a secure hotspot will help to greatly reduce these disadv antages, such as a WPA, or WPA2 network however a Security free Wi-Fi is highly unusual.