WiFi.com Blog

Recently two researchers found one of the wifi encrypion standards which was previously not cracked can be overcome when used in conjuction with a feature which improves VOIP using a wifi network. This is a simplified explanation, of course, and without going to extreme detail about the various encryption standards it can now be said a wifi connection may not be safe when using WEP and WPA/WPA2 (TKIP).

Unless you are using a software or hardware package which addresses your security issues, WiFi.com recommends setting up your network using the Advanced Ecryption Standard (AES). If someone really wants to get into your network, they will do it. However, considering the US government uses this standrad for their own networks and it is the b est one can get at this time, you should feel relatively secure using AES for your wifi network.

WiFi technology fits very nicely with social networking. With the boom of Web 2.0 companies like MySpace, Facebook, and LinkedIn the wifi world – the way you connect wirelessly to the Internet – can dramatically open up acess to your friends and family.

Imagine a world where you can share your wifi connections with friends, securely. In return, they share wifi connections with you, trusted networks of wireless access points which allow you to surf the net and network socially anytime, anywhere.

At WiFi.com we are working on bringing together your friends from social networking sites with your wireless Internet connections, perhaps like the one you have at home – or even the coffee shop up the street. Add your friends, allow them to access your recommended access points, and they return the favor. The beauty is no extra hardware is needed!

October 12, 2008.

WiFi is an established wireless Internet technology. It is established because there is a WiFi workgroup which certifies wifi hardware and sets the specifications for every new rendition of the technology. It is important to note WiFi was, and still is, meant for local area netowrking (LAN). To this end, it is not meant to connect you to the Internet at great distances. Most wifi hardware gives you a wireless connection between 100-500 feet (this is an average).

WiFi security, or the lack thereof, is a misnomer. WiFi has a number of security options to help you secure your wireless connection to the Internet. It is true if you do not secure the connection or use the basic security (WEP), the opportunity for nefarious activity may be higher. However, you must consider a wifi connection is a short-range technology and a potential breach by hackers can only be achieved by someone being within range of your wifi hardware. Regardless, if setting up your own wifi network you should consider using WPA or WPA2 for securing the network. In the very least use WEP for basic security and try not to be liberal about who you give the passcode to.

Here at WiFi.com, we are creating an environment in which you can secretly share your WEP passcode with friends on various social networks and your email contact lists. This is one of a number of features we are working on here at WiFi.com – check back often to learn more. Also, check out our support forum.