Wireless communication is a broad term that incorporates all procedures and forms of connecting and communicating between two or more devices using a wireless signal through wireless communication technologies and devices. Features of Wireless. Wireless communications, System using radio-frequency, infrared, microwave, or other types of electromagnetic or acoustic waves in place of wires, cables, or fibre optics to transmit signals or data. Wireless devices include cell phones, two-way radios, remote garage-door openers, television remote. Wireless Communication is a method of transmitting information from one point to other, without using any connection like wires, cables or any physical medium. Generally, in a communication system, information is transmitted from transmitter to receiver that are placed over a limited distance. Call Customer Service: (877) 227-0924 Monday-Thursday: 8:00am–8:00pm Friday: 8:00am-6:00pm Saturday: 9:30am-6:00pm Sunday: Closed Email Customer Service.
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Wireless communication involves the transmission of information over a distance without the help of wires, cables or any other forms of electrical conductors.
Wireless communication is a broad term that incorporates all procedures and forms of connecting and communicating between two or more devices using a wireless signal through wireless communication technologies and devices.
Features of Wireless Communication
The evolution of wireless technology has brought many advancements with its effective features.
The transmitted distance can be anywhere between a few meters (for example, a television's remote control) and thousands of kilometers (for example, radio communication).
Wireless communication can be used for cellular telephony, wireless access to the internet, wireless home networking, and so on.
Other examples of applications of radio wireless technology include GPS units, garage door openers, wireless computer mice, keyboards and headsets, headphones, radio receivers, satellite television, broadcast television and cordless telephones.
Wireless - Advantages
Wireless communication involves transfer of information without any physical connection between two or more points. Because of this absence of any 'physical infrastructure', wireless communication has certain advantages. This would often include collapsing distance or space.
Wireless communication has several advantages; the most important ones are discussed below −
Cost effectiveness
Wired communication entails the use of connection wires. In wireless networks, communication does not require elaborate physical infrastructure or maintenance practices. Hence the cost is reduced.
Example − Any company providing wireless communication services does not incur a lot of costs, and as a result, it is able to charge cheaply with regard to its customer fees.
Flexibility
Wireless communication enables people to communicate regardless of their location. It is not necessary to be in an office or some telephone booth in order to pass and receive messages.
Miners in the outback can rely on satellite phones to call their loved ones, and thus, help improve their general welfare by keeping them in touch with the people who mean the most to them.
Convenience
Wireless communication devices like mobile phones are quite simple and therefore allow anyone to use them, wherever they may be. There is no need to physically connect anything in order to receive or pass messages.
Example − Wireless communications services can also be seen in Internet technologies such as Wi-Fi. With no network cables hampering movement, we can now connect with almost anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Speed
Improvements can also be seen in speed. The network connectivity or the accessibility were much improved in accuracy and speed.
Example − A wireless remote can operate a system faster than a wired one. The wireless control of a machine can easily stop its working if something goes wrong, whereas direct operation can’t act so fast.
Accessibility
The wireless technology helps easy accessibility as the remote areas where ground lines can’t be properly laid, are being easily connected to the network.
Example − In rural regions, online education is now possible. Educators no longer need to travel to far-flung areas to teach their lessons. Thanks to live streaming of their educational modules.
Constant connectivity
Constant connectivity also ensures that people can respond to emergencies relatively quickly.
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Example − A wireless mobile can ensure you a constant connectivity though you move from place to place or while you travel, whereas a wired land line can’t.
Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth connections can be vulnerable points of access for data or identity theft. Fortunately, there are many ways to decrease your chances of becoming a victim.
Encryption is the best way to keep your personal data safe. It works by scrambling the data in a message so that only the intended recipients can read it. When the address of a website you're visiting starts with 'https' instead of 'http,' that indicates encryption is taking place between your browser and site.
The two most common types of encryption are Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). The strongest one commonly available is WPA2, so use that if you have the option. Home Wi-Fi systems and public Wi-Fi access points, or 'hotspots,' usually will inform you of the encryption they use.
Public Wi-Fi Access
Many Wi-Fi users choose to use public networks instead of their devices' data plans for accessing the internet remotely. But the convenience of public Wi-Fi can be risky. If you're not careful, hackers may quickly access your connection and compromise sensitive information stored on your device and in online accounts. Here are some steps you can take to minimize the risk:
- Check the validity of available Wi-Fi hotspots. If more than one hotspot appears claiming to belong to an establishment that you're in, check with the staff to avoid connecting to an imposter hotspot.
- Make sure all websites you exchange information with have 'https' at the beginning of the web address. If so, your transmitted data will be encrypted.
- Install an app add-on that forces your web browsers to use encryption when connecting to websites -- even well-known sites that may not normally encrypt their communications.
- Adjust your smartphone's settings so it does not automatically connect to nearby Wi-Fi networks. This gives you more control over where and when you connect.
- If you use public Wi-Fi hotspots on a regular basis, consider using a virtual private network, which will encrypt all transmissions between your device and the internet. Many companies offer VPNs to their employees for work purposes, and individuals may subscribe to VPNs on their own.
- When transmitting sensitive information, using your cellphone data plan instead of Wi-Fi may be more secure.
Bluetooth Security
Bluetooth connections to your mobile devices can be used to connect to wireless headsets, transfer files, and enable hands-free calling while you drive, among other things. Most of the time, a user must allow a Bluetooth connection to occur before data is shared - a process called 'pairing' - which provides a measure of data security. But just like Wi-Fi connections, Bluetooth can put your personal data at risk if you are not careful. Here are some steps you may wish to take when using Bluetooth:
- Turn Bluetooth off when not in use. Keeping it active enables hackers to discover what other devices you connected to before, spoof one of those devices, and gain access to your device.
- If you connect your mobile phone to a rental car, the phone's data may get shared with the car. Be sure to unpair your phone from the car and clear any personal data from the car before you return it. Take the same steps when selling a car that has Bluetooth.
- Use Bluetooth in 'hidden' mode rather than 'discoverable' mode. This prevents other unknown devices from finding your Bluetooth connection.
Home Wireless Network Security
Home wireless networks enable computers and mobile devices to share one broadband connection to the internet without having to use up minutes on cellular data plans. But like all other wireless network technologies, home wireless networks present vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. To help protect your home wireless network from unwanted users, consider the following steps:
- Turn on encryption. Wireless routers often come out of the box with the encryption feature disabled, so be sure it is enabled soon after the router is installed.
- Change the network's default network name, also known as its service set identifier or 'SSID.' When a computer with a wireless connection searches for and displays the wireless networks nearby, it lists each network that publicly broadcasts its SSID. Manufacturers usually give all of their wireless routers a default SSID, which is often the company's name. For additional security, choose a unique and hard to guess name as your SSID.
- Change the network's default password. Most wireless routers come with preset passwords for administering a device's settings (this is different from the password used to access the wireless network itself). Unauthorized users may be familiar with the default passwords, so it is important to change the router device's password as soon as it is installed. Longer passwords made up of a combination of letters, numbers and symbols are more secure.
- Consider using the Media Access Control, or 'MAC,' address filter in your wireless router. Every device that can connect to a Wi-Fi network has a unique ID called the 'physical address' or 'MAC' address. Wireless routers can screen the MAC addresses of all devices that connect to them, and users can set their wireless network to accept connections only from devices with MAC addresses that the router will recognize. To create another obstacle to unauthorized access, consider activating your wireless router's MAC address filter to include your devices only.
- Turn off your wireless router when it will not be in use for any extended period of time.
- Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software on your computer, and use similar apps on your devices that access your wireless network.
Passwords
Remembering all of your assorted passwords can be a pain. Web browsers and other programs may offer to remember passwords for you, which can be a significant timesaver. However, certain password shortcuts can leave you less safe secure. The following best practices may help keep your personal information safer:
- Don't use the same password for multiple accounts, especially for the most sensitive ones, such as bank accounts, credit cards, legal or tax records and files containing medical information. Otherwise, someone with access to one of your accounts may end up with access to many others.
- Don't have your web browser remember passwords and add them for you, particularly for your most important financial, legal and medical accounts. If an unauthorized person gains access to your computer or smartphone, they could access any account that your browser automatically logs into.
- Don't use passwords that can be easily guessed, such as common words and birthdays of family members. Instead, use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. The longer and stronger the password, the safer your information.
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Wireless Connections and Bluetooth Security Tips (pdf)