 - Wi-Fi (short for "wireless fidelity") is a term for
certain types of wireless local area network (WLAN) that use specifications in the 802.11 family. The term Wi-Fi was created by an organization called the Wi-Fi Alliance, which oversees
tests that certify product interoperability. A product that
passes the alliance tests is given the label "Wi-Fi
certified" (a registered trademark).
Originally, Wi-Fi certification was applicable only to
products using the 802.11b standard. Today, Wi-Fi can apply to
products that use any 802.11 standard. The 802.11
specifications are part of an evolving set of wireless network
standards known as the 802.11 family. The particular
specification under which a Wi-Fi network operates is called
the "flavor" of the network. Wi-Fi has gained acceptance in many
businesses, agencies, schools, and homes as an alternative to a
wired LAN. Many airports, hotels, and fast-food facilities
offer public access to Wi-Fi networks. These locations are
known as hot spots. Many charge a daily or hourly rate for
access, but some are free. An interconnected area of hot spots and network access points is known as a hot zone.
Unless adequately protected, a Wi-Fi network can be
susceptible to access by unauthorized users who use the access
as a free Internet connection. The activity of locating and
exploiting security-exposed wireless LANs is called war driving. An identifying iconography, called war chalking, has evolved. Any entity that has a wireless LAN should use
security safeguards such as the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
encryption standard, the more recent Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), Internet Protocol Security (IPsec), or a virtual private network (VPN).
| CONTRIBUTORS: |
Jack Hanlin and Derek Walker |
| LAST UPDATED: |
06 Nov 2006
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