It’s easy to understand why people use the terms Wi-Fi and Wireless Internet for the same thing. And, while both are wireless, they usually refer to different services. We talked about Wireless Internet two weeks ago. This week we’ll look at

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is a wireless Internet signal that can only be accessed by someone near to it. Like Wireless Internet, Wi-Fi uses radio signals, but Wi-Fi radio signals aren’t as massive.

Wi-Fi is used at homes and in offices, and is something we’ve probably all seen at coffee shops, airports, even the supermarket.

In order to have Wi-Fi available, however, there has to be Internet service (Wi-Fi is not an Internet service). This is the Internet that is brought to your home or to a business. Usually, the Internet is brought via copper or fiber cables. It isn’t until a wireless router is connected – generally by a cable – that the Internet signal can be transmitted wirelessly.

Wi-Fi can be encrypted and can require a password. With the right security measures, it’s just as safe as most hard-wired connections.