Wireless typically refers to any connection to the Internet acquired through the air, without a physical connection between the device accessing it and the network hardware providing the connection. Wireless is also often differentiated from "cordless" devices in that cordless devices typically rely on batteries for power rather than being plugged into a wall outlet, though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Of course, many wireless devices are cordless out of necessity and their portable design.
Wireless has grown in popularity due to increased ease of setup, and the freedom it allows users. As the range of wireless connections expands (from home routers to entire cities with a widespread wireless infrastructure to cellular networks that cover you anywhere), so does the reach of its usefulness. People who live in isolated areas can now access faster Internet connectivity simply by buying the right devices. Apple's iPhone and the Blackberry are two milestone products in integrating wireless data access into handheld devices.
Wireless LANs and Internet access points are vulnerable to being recognized, used, or abused by anyone within range, so securing a private wireless connection is vital. Various methods of doing so exist, and using combinations of them is often the most effective. WPA, WPA2, WEP, disabling broadcasting SSID, and implementing a MAC filter are some of the most common methods of securing a wireless connection.
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