Articles in Category: Wireless Networking

Primarily WiFi, but including other types of wireless computer networking issues, problems, solutions and technologies.

How Do My Mobile Data Connection, Internet Connection, and Wi-Fi Connection Relate?

Understanding how your devices connect to the internet is useful, especially when the power goes out.

Does Having a Visible Wi-Fi Password Add Security Compared to an Open Wi-Fi Hotspot?

Using a password-protected WPA2/3 hotspot is a minor inconvenience for a very significant level of additional security.

How Do I Get Wireless Internet?

You hear a lot about wireless internet, but it's not something you can just connect to anywhere. It's more often something you purchase and set up.

5 Steps to Better Wi-Fi In Your House

Wi-Fi has only become more important as more devices and online activities become essential at home. I'll review some of the things to investigate as you search for better Wi-Fi performance.

Is It OK to Use this Random Wireless Network I Just Found?

When scanning for wireless connections, you may find several that are unknown, yet appear open and available. Using them is very risky.

Is Using a Shared Wi-fi Hotspot Safe?

Free accessible Wi-Fi is almost ubiquitous, and most systems are set up to use it safely. There are a few things to pay attention to in order to stay safe.

How to Recover a Wi-Fi Password in Windows 10 and 11

If you forget your Wi-Fi password Windows may be able to remind you what it is.

Why is My Wi-Fi Speed Slow?

Wi-Fi speed can be slow for many different reasons. Slow Wi-Fi can also be a symptom of speed constraints elsewhere.

Why Does My Laptop Keep Connecting to the Wrong Wi-Fi Network?

Windows tries to be helpful by remembering the Wi-Fi networks you've connected to in the past. Sometimes, though, you want it to forget.

Increase Your Wi-Fi Range While Camping

Bad Wi-Fi signal strength? A range extender need not be expensive, and can be a handy and flexible solution.

How Do I Block Someone From Using My Wi-Fi?

Most Wi-Fi access points and routers easily let you block someone from using your Wi-Fi. I'll cover the simple steps.

What is “Limited Connectivity” and How Do I Fix it?

"Limited connectivity" displays when your computer is having problems completing its network configuration. It might as well mean no connectivity.

Is Mobile More Secure than Wi-Fi?

Mobile broadband is a popular internet connection alternative. As with any connection, it's important to understand the security ramifications and tradeoffs.

How Do I Connect My Desktop to Open Wi-Fi Nearby?

Wi-Fi hotspots make for a convenient connection. To connect, you need proximity, a little hardware, and most important, permission.

Does an Open Wi-Fi Login Page Mean It’s Secure?

Absolutely not. This is a critically important distinction to make, and it's one I'm afraid many people misunderstand.

How Do I Use an Open Wi-Fi Hotspot Safely?

Open Wi-Fi hotspots at coffee shops and other public places are opportunities for hackers. I'll review how to stay safe.

Why is My Wi-Fi Speed Slower than Ethernet?

Wired speeds are almost always faster than wireless. I'll review why and what you can do. Spoiler: "what you can do" usually involves a cable.

Is it Safe to Share My Internet Connection with My Neighbor?

Giving a neighbor temporary internet access seems like a neighborly thing to do. Before you do it, understand the risks of sharing your internet.

What the “KRACK attacks” mean to you

A vulnerability has been discovered in a critical wireless security protocol. I'll discuss whether you should worry and what steps you should take.

How Do I Recover a Wi-Fi Password When I’m Not Connected?

Even if you're nowhere near a network you've connected to in the past, you can still recover the Wi-Fi password from Windows.

How Do I Block Neighboring Wireless Networks?

Accidentally connecting to someone's nearby wireless network can be a serious security risk. We'll look at some steps to prevent it.

Extending Your Network With A Wireless Access Point

Adding a wireless access point to extend your network's range can be confusing. Many routers come with wireless capability, but you only need one router.

How do I turn off Wi-Fi Sense (and what is it?)

Wi-Fi Sense, a new feature in Windows 10, is designed to make connecting to wireless networks easier. You'll probably want to turn off Wi-Fi Sense for privacy.

I’m Using Someone Else’s Internet Connection – Am I at Risk?

Without the proper security others will be able to access your computer and your files, and even watch what you do online. Fortunately, setting up basic security is easy.

Why am I getting limited connectivity at my local open wifi hotspot?

When you are connected to a wireless network, but cannot get to the internet, it's because an IP address has not been assigned to you. So how do you fix that?

Why Can’t I Connect to My Hotel’s Wireless Network?

Hotels and other hotspot providers often insist that you agree to some terms of service before you can use their internet. The problem is that insistence can often interfere with the connection.

Does Turning Off Network Discovery Improve Wireless Security?

Unfortunately, network sniffing is a very simple thing to do and it has actually nothing to do with the network discovery option.