wireless

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. 

by Mark Buckingham Are you a writer, passionate about this or any other topic? Join Blogcritics!

Latest blogosphere posts tagged “wireless”

• Xbox 360 802.11n wireless

  
  Gadget Inspector | Hi Tech Gadgets — Authority: 112
  Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter , which features 802.11n wireless connectivity instead of the 802.11b/g offered by the currently available model – resulting in significantly faster data transfer speeds. ‘Designed for versatility and ease, the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter ‘N’ enhances your Xbox ...
  5 hours ago

• Blu Ray Disc Player - A Quick Read

  
  Computing Success Secrets — Authority: 543
  There is a new phenomenon happening in the world and its called the blu ray disc. This new type of disc is revolutionizing the media and digital world. With unprecedented storage capability and high definition video and audio quality this new type of disc is rapidly increasing in popularity.For this disc to be used ...
  5 hours ago

• The new Cellphone Charger

  
  Computing Success Secrets — Authority: 543
  How does the idea of having a single mobile phone charger to charge any model of mobile phones sound? Interesting, isn’t it? And just imagine how much more things will become convenient if one doesn’t have to keep changing the charger with every new cell phone model one buys. And think of the money [...]
  5 hours ago

• using D-Link DIR-615 4-Port 10/100 Mbps Wireless N Router

  
  Computing Success Secrets — Authority: 543
  D-Link DIR-615 4-Port 10/100 Mbps Wireless N Router ReviewSomewhere along time people have come to associate spending a great deal of money on a product with it being a superior product. While this may be true with luxury automobiles, nothing could be farther from the truth when it comes to wireless routers. The ...
  5 hours ago

• How to take apart Sony Vaio VGN-SZ series laptop

  
  Inside my laptop — Authority: 110
  In this guide I will be taking apart a Sony Vaio VGN-SZ series laptop. In my case I’m working with a Sony Vaio VGN-SZ330p laptop but the guide should work for the entire VGN-SZ line. In you need replacement parts, search here . STEP 1. Turn off the laptop, unplug AC adapter and remove battery. Remove ...
  6 hours ago

• Elusive Xbox 360 802.11n wireless adapter appears in the UK

  
  MainGadget — Authority: 161
  Microsoft might be playing cat-and-mouse with the Xbox 360 802.11n adapter , but it looks like the jig is up in the UK — we just got this shot of it sitting on an ASDA store shelf. Still no word on Stateside availability, but surely we can’t all keep on like this forever, can we Go here to read the rest: ...
  7 hours ago

• Elusive Xbox 360 802.11n wireless adapter appears in the UK

  
  Today's Review — Authority: 166
  Microsoft might be playing cat-and-mouse with the Xbox 360 802.11n adapter , but it looks like the jig is up in the UK — we just got this shot of it sitting on an ASDA store shelf. Still no word on Stateside availability, but surely we can’t all keep on like this forever, can we? [Thanks, Daniel] Filed under: ...
  7 hours ago

• Elusive Xbox 360 802.11n wireless adapter appears in the UK

  
  Hobbies Fun & entertainment - fun-entertainment.marc8.com — Authority: 163
  Microsoft might be playing cat-and-mouse with the Xbox 360 802.11n adapter , but it looks like the jig is up in the UK -- we just got this shot of it sitting on an ASDA store shelf. read more
  7 hours ago

• Elusive Xbox 360 802.11n wireless adapter appears in the UK

  
  F-Default — Authority: 561
  Microsoft might be playing cat-and-mouse with the Xbox 360 802.11n adapter , but it looks like the jig is up in the UK — we just got this shot of it sitting on an ASDA store shelf. Still no word on Stateside availability, but surely we can’t all keep on like this forever, can we? Thanks, Daniel Filed under: Gaming ...
  7 hours ago

• Verizon Goes After AT&T for the Holidays

  
  Multimedia-PCs — Authority: 127
  Verizon has launched three new ads that target AT&T for the holidays. It plays off of “there’s a map for that” commercial from a few weeks ago. It seems that Verizon isn’t concerned by the lawsuit filled by AT&T about their previous commercial. Since I’m on Verizon I am happy to see these ...
  7 hours ago

• Sprint Palm Pixi unboxed on video

  
  Technology Blog — Authority: 169
  Oop, looks like the crew at WireFly didn’t get the memo on the Sprint Palm Pixi launch — they’ve gone ahead and posted up an unboxing video a week ahead of official availability on the 15th. Nothing too unexpected here, but honestly, what were you expecting for $100? Video after the break.[Thanks, bnm]Continue ...
  8 hours ago

• Elusive Xbox 360 802.11n wireless adapter appears in the UK

  
  RSS fabriek — Authority: 462
  Microsoft might be playing cat-and-mouse with the Xbox 360 802.11n adapter , but it looks like the jig is up in the UK — we just got this shot of it sitting on an ASDA store shelf. Still no word on Stateside availability, but surely we can’t all keep on like this forever, can we? [Thanks, Daniel] Filed under: ...
  8 hours ago

• Drilling Down: Sending a Message, Again and Again

  
  NYT > Theater — Authority: 915
  The number of text messages transmitted in the United States grew by more than 80 percent over the 12 months ended in June.
  8 hours ago

• Verizons LG Chocolate Touch skips on the BL40 influence

  
  Gadget Ressitance — Authority: 160
  Filed under: Handsets , LG , Verizon Wireless , EV-DO , CDMA We’ve suspected it for a while, and now it’s 100 percent confirmed: Verizon’s latest Chocolate device, the Chocolate Touch , takes absolutely zero influence from the lovely BL40 with which it shares a name. That said, it definitely seems ...
  9 hours ago

• Verizons BlackBerry 8530 and LG Chocolate Touch go hands-on

  
  Gadget Ressitance — Authority: 160
  Filed under: Handsets , LG , Verizon Wireless Rounding out the flurry of interesting Verizon Wireless launches today are the BlackBerry Curve 8530 and LG Chocolate Touch (pictured). The 8530 is pretty much just the Verizon edition of T-Mobile’s 8520, but the LG Chocolate Touch bears closer examination. ...
  9 hours ago

• Casio GzOne Brigade brings whole new level of rugged insanity to the QWERTY clamshell

  
  Gadget Ressitance — Authority: 160
  Filed under: Handsets , Verizon Wireless , Casio We’ve seen some crazy phones in our day, many of them from Casio , as it turns out, but the G’zOne Brigade really pushes the envelope. It’s a ruggedized, weatherproof, Push to Talk QWERTY clamshell, with some of the odder physical protrusions we’ve ...
  9 hours ago

• First iPhone worm rickrolls jailbroken phones

  
  Technology Blog — Authority: 169
  We sort of knew this would happen as soon as we heard about that iPhone wallpaper hack in the Netherlands — a hacker named ikex has created what’s apparently the first iPhone worm, and it’s currently infecting jailbroken iPhones across Australia. The “ikee” worm, as it’s being called, takes advantage of ...
  9 hours ago

• Daily DIY Network - Science Projects Plans Guides » Blog Archive …

  
  PaintballLifestyle - Paintball's #1 Free eMagazine! — Authority: 147
  My friends and I enjoy playing paintball out in the Arizona desert on occasion. It’s great fun, but sometimes pelting someone with a couple hundred paintballs traveling at 300 feet per second just isn’t enough. …
  9 hours ago

• Entelligence: Heads I win, tails so do you

  
  MainGadget — Authority: 161
  Entelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. See the rest here:  Entelligence: Heads I win, tails so do you
  9 hours ago

• WiFi Share Service to Supplement NBN

  
  Net Traveller — Authority: 435
  One person responded to my posting about 3G data speeds being lower than the 14 Mbit/s theoretical maximum:... dont come to London ... average speeds of 4.8 kbps (yes thats 4800 bits per second) download and about 3k6 bps upload.Its actually faster to get on a tube ... and deliver your message personally ...It may ...
  9 hours ago

Comments about wireless