What is Wifi?

IAS Mains General Studies Sample Answers

Wifi (Local Area Wireless Technology)

The trade name for the popular wireless technology used in home networks, mobile phones, video games and other electronic devices that require some form of wireless networking capability, is called Wi-Fi systems. Nearly every modern personal computer operating computer peripherals and most advanced game consoles support Wi-Fi technologies. To provide wireless access to digital content in the purpose of Wi-Fi. This may include applications, audio and visual media, internet connectivity or other data.

Hotspot is the coverage of one or more interconnected access points. It can comprises an area as small as single room with wireless opaque walls or large as many square miles covered by overlapping access points. Organizations and business such as airports, hotels, and restaurants often provide free hotspot to attract or assist clients. Wi-Fi allows connectivity in peer-to-peer mode also, which enables devices to connect directly with each other. This can prove useful in consumer electronics and gaming applications.

Wi-Fi allows Local Area Network (LAN) to be deployed without cabling for client devices, typically reducing the costs of network deployment and expansion. Spaces where cables cannot be run, such as outdoor areas and historical buildings, can host wireless LANs areas. However, there is limitation of this system. Spectrum assignments and operational limitations are not consistent worldwide.

Wi-Fi Network System
Depiction of a device sending information wirelessly to another device, both connected to the local network, in order to print a document.
Source & Courtesy: Wikipedia.org

Many devices can use Wi-Fi, e.g., personal computers, video-game consoles, smartphones, some digital cameras, tablet computers and digital audio players. These can connect to a network resource such as the Internet via a wireless network access point. Wi-Fi can be less secure than wired connections (such as Ethernet) because an intruder does not need a physical connection. Web pages that use SSL are secure but unencrypted internet access can easily be detected by intruders. Because of this, Wi-Fi has adopted various encryption technologies.

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