Wireless Internet Basics

Aloha!

Ah the conveniences of modern life…sitting in an outdoor café, sipping a tasty beverage, wirelessly surfing the web. The pleasure is addicting. Then later, you are at a venue somewhere else on the island or on the mainland, you get comfortable, flip open your laptop, but, darn! No wireless Internet! Or worse yet, just to tease you, a signal too weak to connect to. Say it isn’t so!

You see, the problem is that we expect the same type of coverage for wireless Internet that we get on our cell phones – which means pretty certain connectivity in urban areas. But the wireless Internet your laptop is searching for (commonly called a hotspot) depends on some business, government office, or individual providing that service. And sometimes, you have to pay for it, like at some bookstores.

Just how does a laptop equipped with a wireless adapter connect to the Internet? First, understand that we’re talking about radio wave communications. The laptop uses its antenna to seek a broadcasting transmitter (usually a device called a router) on the same frequency, in most cases, in the 2.4 GHz frequency range with a certain type of encoding. This type of wireless communication is commonly called WI-FI.

If the laptop finds a transmitter, it will attempt to associate with it. In the lower right corner of your laptop’s screen you can view a little icon indicating this process. Associating depends on proximity to the transmitter and whether encryption is used to limit access to those who have permission. In many cafés that provide wireless Internet for their patrons, there is unrestricted access, so any laptop or WIFI-compatible device can connect.

If you are a laptop WI-FI addict, you may find it convenient to purchase a hotspot finder. This is a little hand-held gizmo that looks for hotspots, and indicates their signal strength and whether they are open or encrypted. Then you can decide whether it’s worth it to open your laptop and connect.

If your home or business has a wireless router, be aware that if there is no encryption, anyone in range can surf the web through your Internet service, and potentially hack into your computers. So unless you are in the boonies, it’s best to always turn on encryption.

Another word of advice: it’s best to run an Internet security program on your computer, or at least a good firewall, as there are hackers who prey upon unprotected laptops in public hotspots. On the paranoid side, it’s best to never use your credit card, logon to your email, or work on any confidential matters when using a hotspot, especially in places like airports, unless you are connected to your company’s VPN (virtual private network). This is because some hackers use software tools to collect the data that flows wirelessly between your laptop and the wireless transmitter. It’s complicated and techie, but can be done.

The safest bet? When online via a public hotspot, surf the web for news, “window” shop at e-merchants, and draft emails, but avoid purchases and sending emails until you're on a more secure Internet connection. Also, sometimes consider "unplugging from the Internet/Matrix/Borg Collective" and enjoy 19th Century café style sitting: enjoy a book, other people, and your immediate surroundings.

Wishing you akamai computing!