Introduction Wireless Internet is often referred to as “wireless Internet network, Wi-Fi, Wireless Ethernet, or IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11.” Despite the numerous names, they all describe a “technology that allows computers and mobile devices to connect to the Internet over a network without interconnecting wires.” Wireless Internet is produced by a wireless router or hop that allows access to the Internet. To access the Internet, a wireless device, such as a laptop, must connect to a wireless router, in which the user is within the transmission radius of the router. The wireless router sends out “beacon signals” to find a device. Once a device is connected to a wireless router, the user can explore
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A user can access the Internet from virtually any location. Additionally, wireless Internet supports multiple users. Numerous users can simultaneously access the Internet. Wireless Internet is cost-effective. The initial setup of wireless networks is more expensive than wired Internet, but as the demand for connectivity and the number of mobile devices increase, a wireless network is cheaper to expand and maintain.
On the other hand, wireless Internet can be unsecure, “it is estimated that 75 percent of the United State’s wireless internet networks are vulnerable to attack.” Intercepting information that is transmitted over the wireless networks is generally easier, so user’s wireless traffic can be “sniffed” or eavesdropped by attackers. Additionally, wireless Internet has slower transmission speeds than wired broadband. According to Epitiro, an Internet research company, “wired broadband is nearly 30 percent faster than wireless broadband within the same household.” Wireless Internet also has slower download speeds than wired connections; according to a 2011 survey conducted by Epitiro, “ the download speed for wired connections was 7.4 Mbps and 5.2 Mbps for wireless connections. Wireless connections are limited to the routers’ transmission radius. Even within a router’s transmission radius, structures such as walls or furniture can obstruct the Internet …show more content…
Piggybacking, the unauthorized use of someone else’s wireless Internet connection, is a major ethical concern pertaining to wireless Internet. Wi-Fi radio waves have an average range of 200 feet, and, consequently, diffuse outside of the intended area of use. The radio waves can even “bleed through, walls, floors, and ceilings.” Consequently, strangers can connect to the network if it is not protected by a password, which many networks are not. According to Mike Wolf of ABI Research, a technology market research company, “Wi-Fi is in the air, and it is a very low curb, if you will, to step and use it.” Though piggybacking seems harmless, it is taking advantage or stealing someone else’s private property, which owners pay money for the service. According to Ali Al Hakami, a member of the high scholars ‘ commission, "taking advantage of the Wi-Fi service illegally or without the knowledge of other beneficiaries or providers is not ethical. Any provider or user who pays money for the WiFi service should be consulted before using it." Using someone else’s network that they pay for can slow the owners’ access speed and deprives Internet service providers revenue. Furthermore, piggybacking can potentially present further ethical dilemmas in terms of privacy. Unauthorized users may be tempted to access
A user can access the Internet from virtually any location. Additionally, wireless Internet supports multiple users. Numerous users can simultaneously access the Internet. Wireless Internet is cost-effective. The initial setup of wireless networks is more expensive than wired Internet, but as the demand for connectivity and the number of mobile devices increase, a wireless network is cheaper to expand and maintain.
On the other hand, wireless Internet can be unsecure, “it is estimated that 75 percent of the United State’s wireless internet networks are vulnerable to attack.” Intercepting information that is transmitted over the wireless networks is generally easier, so user’s wireless traffic can be “sniffed” or eavesdropped by attackers. Additionally, wireless Internet has slower transmission speeds than wired broadband. According to Epitiro, an Internet research company, “wired broadband is nearly 30 percent faster than wireless broadband within the same household.” Wireless Internet also has slower download speeds than wired connections; according to a 2011 survey conducted by Epitiro, “ the download speed for wired connections was 7.4 Mbps and 5.2 Mbps for wireless connections. Wireless connections are limited to the routers’ transmission radius. Even within a router’s transmission radius, structures such as walls or furniture can obstruct the Internet …show more content…
Piggybacking, the unauthorized use of someone else’s wireless Internet connection, is a major ethical concern pertaining to wireless Internet. Wi-Fi radio waves have an average range of 200 feet, and, consequently, diffuse outside of the intended area of use. The radio waves can even “bleed through, walls, floors, and ceilings.” Consequently, strangers can connect to the network if it is not protected by a password, which many networks are not. According to Mike Wolf of ABI Research, a technology market research company, “Wi-Fi is in the air, and it is a very low curb, if you will, to step and use it.” Though piggybacking seems harmless, it is taking advantage or stealing someone else’s private property, which owners pay money for the service. According to Ali Al Hakami, a member of the high scholars ‘ commission, "taking advantage of the Wi-Fi service illegally or without the knowledge of other beneficiaries or providers is not ethical. Any provider or user who pays money for the WiFi service should be consulted before using it." Using someone else’s network that they pay for can slow the owners’ access speed and deprives Internet service providers revenue. Furthermore, piggybacking can potentially present further ethical dilemmas in terms of privacy. Unauthorized users may be tempted to access