Edited By Piyush Kashyap, Reviewed By Gulshan
One of the things that have made rapid progress in the past couple of decades is the use of technology.
Technology has affected every domain of our lives starting right from what we do on a regular basis to how we do those things.
One such integral component of technology that has become a part of our lives is the internet. A person of this age cannot even imagine living without the internet.
An average person’s day begins by checking social media updates and news updates and also ends with the same.
In the meanwhile that is during the day, he uses the internet for each and everything. If a person wants to research something, he can go online and find out tons and tons of information on that topic. If someone’s getting bored, he can simply go online and can find plenty of entertainment options, including music and movies.
If someone wants to catch up with his old buddies, he can go online and catch up with them on social media platforms, or if he/she wants to communicate with his boss, he can send him an email via the internet. Hence, the Internet today dominates every person’s life and has thus become a necessity.
It is challenging for anybody to work today without having access to the internet.
Hence, knowing how to access the internet is a necessary skill that one cannot ignore. There are various ways to access the internet; however, the most popular and the most commonly used method to access the internet is via Wi-Fi. This post will help you understand how to connect to Wi-Fi on the laptop or the PC.
Today, Wi-Fi is one of the most popular modes of communication between network devices. It helps in the transmission of data between network devices wirelessly. It is built on a set of protocols or rules and standards permitting high speed, secure connections between various digital devices, hardware, and other access points.
It has the ability to operate over short as well as longer distances. It can also be secured by setting a password or can be open and free, which is the reason why it is one of the most favoured modes of digital communication. Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
Video: How to Connect Wi-Fi in Laptop
Wi-Fi Alliance is an international organization or association of companies that are involved with Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) products and technologies.
Even with the fact that in most cases, Wi-Fi is typically used to access the internet connections on various devices like laptops, computers, PCs, phones, tablets etc. Actually, Wi-Fi is used to connect the devices like an access point which in turn provides internet connection to the digital device i.e. the laptop or the smartphone.
Hence, in essence, Wi-Fi is not the internet. It is just a wireless connection to the device. This device then provides an internet connection to your mobile phone or laptop.
As a result, it can also provide access to any kind of local network of devices which is the reason why Wi-Fi can be used for various other purposes like printing pictures wirelessly or watching videos from cameras connected to the Wi-Fi without actually having any wires attached to them.
Clearly, Wi-Fi makes life a lot easier for not just accessing the internet but also other purposes, as mentioned above.
What is 802.11?
This is often mentioned with Wi-Fi terminologies. 802.11 or IEEE 802.11. is essentially nothing but some protocols and rules that specify the sort and type of communication that can occur on a Wi-Fi on various wireless frequencies.
What digital devices use Wi-Fi?
Due to the advancement of technology, most digital devices are capable of using Wi-Fi and accessing the internet. Majority of routers do provide internet connectivity via Wi-Fi network, and nowadays, almost every digital and smart device relies heavily on it for reliable and stable internet connection.
Additionally, all modern-day smartphones support Wi-Fi connectivity, as do laptops, tablets and even some computers and PCs. Wi-Fi can be added to laptops and computers, even with the help of dongles.
Nowadays, there are smart TVs which come with an inbuilt facility of Wi-Fi connections. There are numerous devices nowadays that come with Wi-Fi connectivity like intelligent refrigerators, cars, printers, scanners, clocks, watches, gaming consoles, digital radios, and even some cars.
Connecting to Wi-Fi
Given the various advantages of having a wireless internet connection, most people prefer having a Wi-Fi connection at their home or their place of work.
Getting the right equipment
The first thing that people need to ensure before attempting to make an internet connection via Wi-Fi networks is that they get the appropriate equipment for the same. Otherwise, they won’t be able to use the Wi-Fi network. Before one sets up the wireless network, here is what one will need:
Broadband internet connection and a high-speed modem
A high-speed internet connection is called a broadband connection. Some of the most common and popular broadband internet connections are DSL and Cable.
Anyone can have an internet connection by contacting their Internet Service Provider (ISP). These ISPs usually provide modems or a combination of a modem and/or wireless routers. Apart from them, these can also be found online or at various electronic stores.
Wireless Router
A router is a device that sends information between the internet and the network. With the help of a wireless router, one can connect the devices, i.e. laptops and PCs to the internet without the need of any kind of cables.
Wireless Network Adapter
It is a device that helps the PC to be connected to any kind of wireless network. For the PC or laptop to be able to connect to the wireless connection, a wireless network adaptor is required. However, nowadays, the majority of computer systems come with pre-installed wireless network adaptors.
Setting up the Modem and the Internet Connection
After all the equipment is ready, the modem and the internet connection needs to be set up. In most cases, this would be done by the ISP, but if they do not do it, the instructions that arrived with the package need to be followed and hence, it needs to be connected to the PC and then, to the internet.
Position of the Wireless Router
The wireless router should be placed in a position where it will receive the highest signal without any kind of interference.
It should be placed as close to the centre of the home as possible. It should also be positioned above the floor and away from the walls. The lower the number of obstructions between the router and the PC, the higher the signal strength the internet connection will have.
Securing the Wireless Network
Security is the most crucial part of a Wi-Fi network, mainly because people outside the house can access it if it is unprotected. Hence, one should always take security measures to secure their wireless network. There are a couple of ways in which one could do this.
First, one should change the default username and password. Most of the router suppliers provide the router with a default password, a default username, and a default network name. This network name is known as the SSID.
Anyone can access the wireless network using this information, and hence, one should set a new personalized username and password. Second, a security key or password should be set up for the system to help protect the network from any kind of unauthorized access.
Usually, WPA2 security is recommended if the router supports it. Third, one should note down the password and remember it or keep it in a safe place. Finally, the use of a firewall would protect the computer, PC or laptop from any kind of malicious software or unauthorized users.
If a person is running a firewall on his system, then it will help him control the spread of any type of malicious software into his computer and onto the wireless network. This would protect the PC.
Connect the PC/laptop to a Wireless Network
Once all the above steps are completed, one can finally connect their laptop or PC to the internet.
With the Windows System
- 1First, click on the network icon from the notifications area.
- 2A list of networks will come up. One has to select the network that one wants to connect to. Click on connect.
- 3Next, one needs to type in the security key or password set for the network.
- 4Then one needs to follow the additional instructions if any. Post this, the user can connect the laptop or PC to the wireless network and can use the internet.
With the Mac System
- 1First, click on the network icon from the menu bar.
- 2If Wi-Fi is off, turn it on.
- 3A list of networks will come up. One has to select the network that one wishes to connect to. Click on connect.
- 4Next, one needs to type in the security key or password set for the network.
- 5Then one needs to follow the additional instructions if any. Post this, the user can connect the laptop or PC to the wireless network and can use the internet.
Conclusion
Given the rapid improvement in technology day by day, surviving without access to the internet and the Wi-Fi has become a nightmare for many.
In fact, the livelihood of millions and millions of people depend on the internet and wireless networks. Students always look up information on the internet for the preparation of studies and exams.
Office goers require the internet for communication amongst employees as well as for looking up various information and data sources online.
If people get bored, many of us surf online randomly to curb our boredom and then come across movies and entertainment shows which help us pass the time.
There are also many businesses online known as e-commerce firms who do not have any offline stores and have an only-online presence.
All this implies that internet and wireless networks have become a very integral part of each and everyone’s life, and it would be difficult to imagine a life without it.
With its increasing importance, the number of attempts to hack and crack these networks has also been increasing. Hence, while taking a wireless network connection, one should be aware of all the risks that come with it and use appropriate ways to secure and protect the network.
If one does not take enough security measures, then it could lead to dangerous ramifications as all the private and personal information of the user could be hacked.
