Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)

Definition of Terms

AP Access Point
Encryption is the most effective way to achieve
data security.
Ethernet is a family of computer networking
technologies commonly used in local area
networks
GHz Gigahertz
Internet - the global system of
interconnected computer networks that use
the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link billions
of devices worldwide.
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers
LAN Local Area Network
Mbps short for megabits per second, a measure
of data transfer speed (a megabit is equal to one
million bits).
MHZ megahertz
Mobile Device a portable computing device such
as a smartphone or tablet computer.
Modem Short for modulator-demodulator. A
modem is a device or program that enables
a computer to transmit data over, for example,
telephone or cable lines.
Radio Waves an electromagnetic wave of a
frequency between about 104 and 1011 or 1012 Hz,
as used for long-distance communication.
Router a networking device
that forwards data packets between computer
networks.
Security is the degree of resistance to, or
protection from harm.
SSID Service Set Identifier
WEP Wired Equivalent Privacy
Wi-Fi Wireless Fidelity
TCP- Transmission Control Protocol
IP Internet Protocol
Wireless Technology which is commonly used,
for connecting devices in wireless mode.
WLAN Wireless Local Area Network
WPA Wireless Protected Access

Wi-Fi
Wireless Fidelity
name of a popular wireless networking technology that uses
radio waves to provide wireless high-speed Internet and
network connections
Wi-Fi is simply a trademarked phrase that means IEEE
802.11x.
History

Wi-Fi technology builds on IEEE 802.11 standards.

The IEEE develops and publishes these

standards, but does not test equipment for

compliance with them.

The non-profit Wi-Fi Alliance formed in 1999 to fill

this void.

As of 2009 the Wi-Fi Alliance consisted of more

than 300 companies from around the world.
The term Wi-Fi suggests Wireless Fidelity, resembling the
long-established audio-equipment classification term high
fidelity (in use since the 1930s ) or Hi-Fi (used since 1950).
The yin-yang logo indicates the certification of a product
for interoperability.
There are three versions of Wi-Fi radios currently
available- the ones that work with:
IEEE 802.11b

Appeared in late 1999

Operates at 2.4GHz radio spectrum

11 Mbps (theoretical Speed) Within 30

m Range

4-6 Mbps (actual speed)

100-150 feet range

Most Popular, Less Expensive

Interference from Mobile phones and

Bluetooth devices which can reduce the
transmission speed
IEEE 802.11a

Introduced in 2001

Operates at 5 GHz (less popular)

54 Mbps (theoretical speed)

15-20 Mbps (actual speed)

50-75 feet range

More Expensive

Not Compatible with 802.11b

IEEE 802.11g

Introduced in 2003

Combine the Feature of both

Standards(a,b)

100-150 feet range

54 Mbps

2.4 GHz radio frequencies

Compatible with b

Hotspot

hotspot is used to define an area where Wi-Fi

access is available.

It can either be through a closed wireless network

at home or in public places such as restaurants or
airports.
Pocket Wifi

Pocket Wi-Fi router is a battery power mobile

router which enables Wi-Fi-enabled devices to
connect to the internet via the mobile network.

Wi-Fi and its Uses

Share your internet

Share resources between PCs
Print & scan
Remote control of your entertainment system
Stream video
Play online games
Monitor your home

Wi-Fi Advantages

No Wires Needed

Convenience

Mobility

Productivity

Deployment

Expandability

Cost
Wi-Fi Disadvantages

Security
Range
Reliability
Speed

Elements of Wi-Fi Network

Access Point (AP)

The AP is a wireless LAN transceiver or base station that
can connect one or many wireless devices simultaneously to
the Internet.

Wi-Fi cards
They accept the wireless signal and relay information. They
can be internal and external.(e.g PCMCIA Card for Laptop
and PCI Card for Desktop PC)

Safeguards
Firewalls and anti-virus software protect networks from
uninvited users and keep information secure.
How Does Wi-Fi Works?

Basic concept is same as walkie talkies.

A Wi-Fi hotspot can be created by installing an

accept point to an internet connection.

An accept point acts as base station.

When Wi-Fi enabled device encounters a hotspot

the device can they connect to that network
wirelessly.

A single access point can support up to30 users

and can function with in a range of 100-150 ft.
indoor and 300 ft. outdoors.
How to Connect to Wi-Fi

Step 1: Locate yourself in a property or public

space that has a wireless router. I.e. Somewhere
where a Wi-Fi signal is being transmitted.

Step 2: Make sure that the device you're going to

use is a.) Capable of connecting to the internet
and b.) Capable of connecting to Wi-Fi.

Step 3: Find out the name of the Wi-Fi network

that the router in your location is transmitting.

Step 4: Once you know the name of the Wi-Fi

network, use your chosen device to find it

navigate to Wi-Fi settings > turn Wi-Fi on > click

on the name of your Wi-Fi network > click
"connect".

Step 5: Many Wi-Fi networks are made private,

with access restricted via a password. If your
chosen Wi-Fi network is password protected, at
this point it will ask you enter that password.
Wi-Fi Security Threats

Wireless technology doesnt remove any old

security issues, but introduces new ones

Eavesdropping

Man-in-the-middle attacks

Denial of Service
Wi-Fi Security

The Requirements Of Wi-Fi network security can be

broken down into two primary components:

Authentication
User and Server Authentication

Privacy
Authentication
Keeping unauthorized users off the network

User Authentication Server is Used

Username and password
Risk:

Data{username and password} send before

secure channel established

Phone to passive eavesdropping by attacker

Solution

Establishing a encrypted channel before sending

username and password

Wi-Fi Security
Service Set Identifier (SSID)

used to identify an 802.11 network

It can be pre-configured or advertised in beacon

broadcast

It is transmitted in clear text

provide very little security
Wired Equivalency Protocol (WEP)

Basic encryption technology.

Uses an RC4 stream cipher.

Two versions: 64-bit and 128-bit

versions.

Built into Wi-Fi certified equipment.

Implemented at the MAC level.

Protects radio signal between device and access

point.

Does not protect data beyond the

access point.

Uses static encryption keys.

Easy to crack.

Still better then nothing.

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)

Designed to replace WEP.

Firmware update.

128-bit Temporal Key Integrity Protocol

(TKIP) encryption.

Uses a master key that is

regularly changed.

User authentication.

Data Integrity.

Protects radio signal between device and access

point.

Built into Wi-Fi certified equipment.

Implemented at the MAC level.

Available in two versions:

WPA2 Personal.

WPA2 Enterprise.
Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2)

Designed to replace WEP.

128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard

(AES).
Based on the IEEE 802.11i standard.
Provides government level security.

Wi-Fi and Ethernet

Speed

Wi-Fi offered maximum theoretical speeds of

54Mbps (megabits per second), and far less in
practice.

Ethernet, which can produce speeds anywhere

from 100Mbps to 1000Mbps and beyond.
Reliability

A fixed Ethernet connection is likely to be fast,

stable and deliver consistent speeds.

Wi-Fi is susceptible to countless environmental

factors. Radio waves can be blocked by walls and
floors.
Security
theres really no comparison.

The data on an Ethernet network can only be

accessed by devices physically attached to the
network.

With Wi-Fi, the data is in the air. Most Wi-Fi

networks are secured, so your data is encrypted.
But the strength of the encryption depends on the
security method you are using.
Wi-Fi Problems and Solution
1. I cannot connect to my router. How do I resolve
this?
This is a wide-open problem with an almost limitless
range of causes and solutions, but here are several
actions that might do the trick. First, make sure your
router is configured for Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol (DHCP). If it is, try disabling and re-enabling the
DHCP function. If that doesn't work, disable wireless
security and see if you get a connection; sometimes a
mismatched Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) key can drop
the IP address. You should also check for electrical
interference from competing devices such as cordless
phones, baby monitors, alarm systems, and microwave
ovens. Disable all suspect devices, then recheck your WiFi connection. If all else fails, reboot the router and all
computers on your network.
2. What steps should I take to secure my Wi-Fi
network?
Routers typically offer at least two common forms of
security: WEP, and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
encryption. Both are easy to enable, although you'll get
maximum protection from WPA. To activate security, go to
your router's browser-based administration tool (the
default address for most routers is http://192.168.0.1 or
http://192.168.1.1) and look for the wireless-security
area. WPA requires you to enter a simple security phrase
(eight to 63 characters), or, with some routers, a more
secure (but much harder to remember) 64-digit key.
Similarly, WEP demands that you choose from 64-bit or
128-bit encryption, and enter an alphanumeric hex
phrase, with some routers giving you the option to enter
a simpler ASCII phrase. In addition to enabling wireless
security, you can also disable the broadcasting of the
Service Set Identifier (SSID, or network name). Doing so
can make the network more difficult for hackers to see.

Also available in two versions:

WPA2 Personal.

WPA2 Enterprise.

Also, make sure to enable the router's hardware firewall

(more on that later), and change the router's default
password. And do not enable file sharing, unless you
really use it. This will safeguard your personal files from
interlopers.
3. How do I automatically connect to a Wi-Fi
network without having to manually connect the
first time?
If you just want to connect fast to any available network,
you can set your notebook to do so automatically. Go to
Control Panel > Network Connections and right-click your
current wireless network. Then click Properties > Wireless
Networks > Advanced. Make sure the radio button next to
"Any available network (access point preferred)" is on,
then check the box "Automatically connect to nonpreferred networks."
4. Should I allow other people to access my Wi-Fi service?
What are the dangers?
Some users see no harm in sharing the Wi-Fi love, giving
neighbors and even total strangers free access to the
Internet. Others maintain that piggybacking can open
their networks to potential danger. The decision is yours,
but if you choose not to encrypt, make sure to disable file
sharing. Assuming you have your hardware firewall
turned on, the worst that probably will happen is that
your throughput will drop if your piggybacking neighbors
crank up BitTorrent every evening. If you want to
determine whether others are using your unsecured
network, most routers have a page that lists all the
wireless clients currently connected.
Most people, however, are not comfortable with the idea
of allowing just anyone to use their wireless service. In
theory, the practice can make your network vulnerable to
hackers, since anyone who uses your wireless signal is on
your home network. Malevolent users, for instance, could
release nasty viruses or hijack your PC. That's not terribly
likely, but you should avoid the possibility by using WPA
to protect yourself and keep others off your network.
5. You have a dead spot in your home that your
802.11g router can't seem to reliably reach.
Solution: If you're not already using an 802.11n router
and adapter, it might be time for the switch. (True, the
standard hasn't been finally approved yet, but best guess
is that the hardware is locked down and any changes that
are needed will be done to firmware --which you can
upgrade.)
Why "n?" Because it uses a technology called MIMO
(Multiple Input Multiple Output) that allows it to broadcast
and receive multiple signals.
When a data stream arrives at your dead spot, it's often
been bounced off of too many walls, floors, and other
obstructions to make much sense to your 802.11g or
802.11b router. A MIMO-enabled router takes all those
bounced reflections and compares them, looking to fill in

the blanks until it's pieced together as much of the signal

-- if not all of it -- as possible. It's more than likely that the
drop-outs you've experienced with your 802.11b/g router
and adapter will be cured and you might actually see
some honest Wi-Fi speed emerge.
No Internet Connection
6. You just moved your router and modem to a new
location and now Windows says you have a local
connection but no access to the Internet.

Solution: Reorganizing your network topology to make

best use of your wired and wireless connections is always
a good thing, but changing something that's working can
often lead to unintended consequences. Assuming that
everything is plugged in as before, your router may not
be at fault. If you have a local connection (and you've
tried it to be sure) but no Internet connection, it could be
your modem. Some modems have parental control
buttons that, once pressed, lock out your internet
connection. They're not always in the best locations.