WiFi - Fast Facts
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Wireless-fidelity or WiFi is high-speed access to your computer network and the Internet all without wires.
Radio signals are transmitted from antennas and routers and are picked up by WiFi receivers such as computers and cell phones that are equipped with WiFi cards.
When a computer receives any of the signals within the range of a WiFi network (which is usually 300 to 500 feet for antennas and 100 to 150 feet for routers), the WiFi card will read the signals and create an internet connection between the user and the network without the use of a cord.
Think of the WiFi card as being an invisible cord that connects your computer to the antenna for a direct connection to the internet.
Many new laptops come with a WiFi card built in and in many cases you don’t have to do anything to start WiFi.
WiFi cards can be internal or external, meaning that if a WiFi card is not installed on your computer, you may purchase a USB antenna attachment and have it externally connected to your USB port or have an antenna-equipped expansion card intstalled directly to the computer.
Once a connection is established between the user and the network, the user will be prompted with a login screen and password if it is a fee-based type network. There are also many free-based network connections as well.
WiFi networking around the world is creating hotspots in cities where anyone with a laptop can wirelessly plug into the internet. A WiFi hotspot is a public area such as an airport, café, hotel, store, gas station, office building, etc., where visitors can get wireless access to the Internet via a WiFi access point.
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