| Wi-fi technology is popping up all over the | | | | If you have an older laptop, you can purchase |
| place - literally. From airports to cafes in | | | | wireless adapters which allow for connection |
| city centres, you can bet someone will have | | | | to happen - these devices fit into your USB |
| their laptop, palmtop or mobile with them, | | | | port or PC Card, detecting and receiving |
| surfing the net while sipping at their | | | | wi-fi signals and allowing connection to the |
| cappuccinos. | | | | network. |
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| But it's not only in public places that wi-fi | | | | In an age where everybody and anybody can |
| comes in handy, some users set up wireless | | | | access an internet connection, sometimes for |
| networks in their own home, using broadband | | | | a small fee, from every corner of the planet |
| providers on the host computer. Wi-fi | | | | - even the frozen Arctic - security over |
| technology has allowed for computers to | | | | wi-fi networks is one of the issues we |
| connect and communicate whilst eliminating | | | | commonly see in the news and on technology |
| the need for tangle-prone cables. | | | | forums. |
| | | | |
| All this is based on wireless networking, | | | | So while our connection is freely available, |
| which allows two or more computers to become | | | | if we are not careful our personal details |
| connected using a wireless router. This | | | | can be easily plucked from the wi-fi waves |
| transmits a signal that is then picked up by | | | | while we surf away. The potential for |
| other computers within a certain range of the | | | | identity theft and wireless hacking is a |
| host computer. | | | | worrying threat to those who utilise wireless |
| | | | broadband on a regular basis. |
| There are now a wide range of broadband | | | | |
| deals that come with wireless routers, and | | | | However, there are measures you can take in |
| the majority of laptops on the market come | | | | order to ensure that your details are safe |
| with built-in wireless transmitter, which | | | | while you surf wirelessly: |
| allow for wi-fi signals to be received and | | | | |
| for an internet connection to be established. | | | | - Make use of security settings in your web |
| | | | browser. Broadband providers usually |
| As we become more dependant on broadband | | | | offersome form of security as part of their |
| technology, both for business and personal | | | | deals |
| use, wireless connection has become more | | | | |
| widespread - allowing for connection to the | | | | - Check if a secure network key is needed for |
| internet through a variety of devices. | | | | access. |
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