Most people will use Wi-Fi in some format every day. Whether it’s for work or leisure, we now rely on the internet to keep us connected to the world. However, many of us don’t know how the connection manages to reach our devices without the need for a wire. If you’re curious as to how Wi-Fi works, we’re going to explain it in simple terms here.
Wi-Fi & Radio Waves
You may not have realized that Wi-Fi actually transmits from the router to connected devices through radio waves. There are two different frequencies which can be used, 2.4 gigahertz and 5 gigahertz. The one you need to use will depend on the amount of data you need to send, with 5 gigahertz able to handle more data at a higher speed.
When you share data across these radio frequencies, it’s translated into binary code. This is a computer language, which is made up of a series of 1s and 0s. The binary code is sent back and forth between the router and the device which is accessing the internet. This complex process is completed in a matter of milliseconds, with around 54million 1s and 0s being transmitted per second.
Keeping A Wireless Connection Secure
There are a few different ways to keep a Wi-Fi connection secure. However, the effectiveness of each method varies, and users need to exercise their own precautions. It’s not considered safe to use public Wi-Fi networks to input sensitive information. For example, you wouldn’t carry out high-risk tasks on a McDonalds open connection.
WEP
WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy. This is an older version of network security which came out in 1999. It’s considered to be outdated nowadays, so it’s unlikely that your modern devices will be able to connect to a WEP network. Because it’s no longer updated, security breaches can happen easily, so it’s best not to connect to a WEP if you can help it.
WPA
WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access. This system was developed to improve upon where WEP was lacking. However, the improvements would not be enough and WPA soon became as obsolete as WEP. WPA is not considered to be a safe way to connect to the internet today.
WPA2
WPA2 is an improvement on WPA which is still widely used today. One of the most significant improvements was the addition of better encryption. WPA2 is not completely impenetrable, but it would take between 2 and 14 hours to hack into the network. For most home internet users, this shouldn’t be much of a concern.
WPA3
WPA3 is the most current form of Wi-Fi security. Any device which was made after 2019 will be compatible with this, and it is the most recommended form of security today.