At the dawn of an era home internet everyone hid the arrays of wires as best he could. They were “sewn” into the plinth, fastened along the perimeter of the wall, packed in dust bags. In computer tables, there were even special holes for pulling a network cable. But with the popularization of Wi-Fi wireless technologies, the need to “encrypt” cables disappeared.

Relatively new technology allows you to access the network "over the air", subject to the availability of an access point - a router or other device similar in functionality. For the first time, they started talking about what Wi-Fi was in 1991, when the standards were only being tested, and they gained wide popularity only closer to 2010.

What is WiFi?

Wi-Fi is not the Internet as such, but a modern standard for data exchange between devices equipped with special radio modules. Wi-Fi modules are installed on the lion's share of electronics and equipment produced today. So, initially they were equipped only with wearable computers, mobile phones and handhelds, but recently cameras, printers and even multicookers have the ability to communicate with the global network and other devices.

An access point is a mandatory attribute for accessing the network via Wi-Fi. As usual, this role is played by a router - a device that looks like a compact box with antennas and a set of standard sockets for connecting wired internet. The “box” itself is connected to the Internet via a twisted-pair wire, and through antennas it “distributes” data received from the network and transmits data transmitted from devices connected “over the air” to the network.

In addition to the router, you can use a laptop as an access point, mobile phone or tablet. All of these devices, as well as the increasingly popular mobile routers, must be connected to global network via mobile communication (sim card with GPRS, 3G, 4G). The principle of receiving / transmitting data is the same as that of a wired router.

What is Wi-Fi for?

The primary "household" function of wireless access is to visit sites, download files and communicate over the network without the need to be tied by wires to a specific point. Every year, cities are more and more “covered” with access points available to everyone, so that in the near future, if you have a device with a radio module, you can use the network in any city.

Also, radio modules can be used to organize an internal network between devices. Lenovo, for example, has already released an application for mobile devices that allows you to share any type of file between gadgets via Wi-Fi, but without the need for an Internet connection. The program creates a tunnel through which it transmits some information to the receiving party. When using the application, data exchange is ten times faster than via Bluetooth. In the same way, a smartphone can play the role of a joystick in conjunction with a game console or laptop, or take on the functions of a remote control for a TV that works with Wi-Fi.

How to use WiFi?

To forget about the web of wires at home or in the office, you need to purchase a router. Connect the Internet access wire to the socket highlighted in color (usually yellow or white) and configure it according to the instructions. After that, on all devices that are equipped with a Wi-Fi module, you need to turn on the module, search for a network and connect.

Attention! The speed of Internet access through one access point is the lower, the more devices are connected to it at the same time. The speed is divided proportionally between all devices.

If your computer does not have a radio module, you can purchase one. The external radio module looks like a flash drive, it is also connected via a USB interface. average cost- within 10$.

The Internet from a mobile device can be "distributed" through the "Access Point" option. Find the option in your phone or tablet settings and follow the step by step network setup.

Attention! When a mobile phone or tablet "distributes" the Internet, being an access point, on it better video Don't watch or listen to podcasts. The speed between the distributing and connected device is divided according to the residual principle, and only if the Internet is not actively used on the “access point”, the connected device can download sites at normal speed.

Wi-Fi technology allows you to enter the network without being tied to an Internet cable. Any device equipped with a radio module that supports the Wi-Fi data transmission standard can be a source of wireless Internet. In this case, the signal propagation radius depends on the power of the access point antenna. Through Wi-Fi, you can not only connect to the Internet, but also transfer files and combine devices into a separate network.

Last winter, specialists from Avast conducted an experiment on the participants of the Mobile World Congress. They created three open wifi points near the booth for registration of visitors to the exhibition at the airport and called them the standard names "Starbucks", "MWC Free WiFi" and "Airport_Free_Wifi_AENA". In 4 hours, 2000 people connected to them.

A report was made on the results of the experiment. The specialists were able to analyze the traffic of all these people and find out which sites they visited. The study also allowed find out personal information 63% of participants: logins, passwords, addresses Email etc. And the victims would never have known that their data fell into the hands of someone else, if experts from Avast did not reveal their secret.

Most of those who connected were tech-savvy people. After all, they came to the international IT-exhibition. But for some reason they took no action self-protection while using public Wi-Fi.

Below you will learn about the dangers of connecting to free Wi-Fi and how to protect yourself when using it. Let's start by listing the most common dangers.

Danger number 1. Traffic analysis

The owner of a Wi-Fi point or the person who has gained access to it can view all the traffic that passes through it. And with the help of a data packet analyzer (for example, Wireshark or CommView), find out which pages people visited from connected devices and what they entered into forms on sites that use the http protocol. It can be login data, texts of letters, messages on forums.

It is also possible to steal a cookie with a session ID using a traffic analyzer, which can be used to log into some sites under the victim's account.

In 2017, most sites use the secure https protocol, through which logins and passwords are transmitted in encrypted form. And they cannot be recognized in the manner described above. But this does not mean that they cannot be stolen using a Wi-Fi network.

Danger number 2. "Fake" pages to steal passwords

When a person connects to Wi-Fi in a public place, they can be directed to a page to verify their identity by phone number or authorization through social networks. All data entered on these pages can be collected by the point owner for personal use.

Also, a person who has access to manage the router can set up, for example, a redirect from facebook.com to the site facebb00k.com, which will host a copy of the main page of the popular social network, created to steal passwords.

Danger number 3. Malware infection

In the same way, a person can be transferred not only to phishing sites, but also to pages for downloading trojans and viruses that can steal a lot of valuable information for a fraudster (passwords, documents) from a computer. The result depends on how much the victim cares about the security of their computer.

Now let's figure out what is the probability of running into problems when using public Wi-Fi.

Are there many Wi-Fi points in Russia that are subject to hacking

The 3wifi.stascorp.com website has a database of Russian Wi-Fi points (more than 3 million) that have security problems. It is collected by members of the Antichat forum using RouterScan. This program scans available routers / routers, collects information about them and identifies weakly protected devices.

The full version of the database (with passwords and other useful information) is available only by invitation. But casual visitors to the site can look at the map (is your router there?) And get acquainted with the statistics.

Almost 200 thousand access points do not apply any protection. The same number use the outdated WEP encryption protocol. This means that you can easily pick up a password for them in 5-10 minutes.

But even among those who have enabled modern WPA2 encryption on the router (many router models do this automatically), there are tens of thousands of people who use passwords “12345678” or something similar that was in the default settings.

Many people have WPS enabled, a mechanism for quickly setting up a router using a PIN code, which is also often a standard combination. And this makes it possible for the “left” people to use their equipment.

Wi-Fi hotspot password selection

Even if a person replaces the standard router password / PIN code from WPS with “12345678” or “26031993”, this does not increase the degree of protection against cyber scammers. After all, such combinations can be picked up in a few hours or even faster if the password is very simple or is on the list of frequently used ones.

Creating fake hotspots

In the autumn of 2015, after the terrorist attacks in Paris, someone created a copy of the Mos_Metro_Free access point in the Moscow metro. Some metro passengers connected to it instead of the main point and at the place of the standard advertising page greetings saw a website with the logo of a terrorist organization banned in Russia.

With the help of programs freely available on the Internet (for example, the airbase-ng utility), you can create a copy of any access point. And if the “fake” signal is stronger than the original, then all devices that are configured to automatically connect to the original access point will connect to the “copy”. And over them it will be possible to perform all the actions described at the beginning of the article.

Stealing passwords from an access point using a copy of it

Fake access points can be used not only to deceive users, but also to steal passwords from routers. For example, using the Wifiphisher tool, which appeared a couple of years ago.

When a victim connects to a fake hotspot, they are redirected to the same fake "admin page" where they are prompted to enter their router password in order to download new firmware.

If the owner behaves, then there is no need for enumeration :-)

What technique is needed to "hack" Wi-Fi?

In an article about the dangers of free Wi-Fi, there are often pictures in which a man with black tights on his head, a laptop and a huge antenna is hiding under a table in a cafe. But in reality, this process is invisible to outsiders.

Kali Linux, a distribution kit with a pre-installed set of tools for attacks on various systems (including Wi-Fi networks), can be installed on the simplest laptop and even on an Android smartphone. He even has a version of KaliNetHunter specially adapted for Google Nexus devices.

If you buy an external Wi-Fi adapter for your smartphone, then with its help it is quite possible to perform all the steps described above. And do it in such a way that no one around you notices it.

There are also various applications for amateur Wi-Fi hacking for Android. For example, DroidSheep (on the second screen), DroidSniff, FaceNiff, etc. They are able to view the traffic of the network to which the phone is connected and steal session identifier cookies from poorly protected sites. About 5-6 years ago, with the help of them, you could even log into someone else's VK account (now the security level social networks rose a lot).

Or WPSConnect to check if the point has one of the standard WPS PIN codes.

From what distance can Wi-Fi be hacked?

Even if a Wi-Fi point is used indoors, which is accessible only to its own, this does not mean that you can not think about its security.

The term Wardriving appeared in the USA about 15 years ago. Roughly speaking, this is driving around the city by car, inside which is a laptop with special software and a powerful Wi-Fi antenna.

The purpose of this lesson is to look for potentially vulnerable access points in your city and "hack" them. The radius of the impact zone can reach several hundred meters. The exact value depends on the power of the scammers' equipment and the density of the area.

There is another way to get to hard-to-reach Wi-Fi spots.

Three years ago, researcher Gene Bransfield introduced WarKitteh (microcontroller (SparkCore) + WiFi module + battery + GPS module, see picture 2). This device can be attached to a cat and a dog and run the animal to walk on the territory where you need to access Wi-Fi hotspots.

Cases of wardriving with the help of drones are also described.

How popular is the topic of Wi-Fi hacking

The ability to use the Internet for free and view other people's traffic is of interest to many people around the world. Hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions of articles have been written about various approaches to achieving these goals. It is possible that one of the tenants of your house is now reading one of them.

And he does not need to have any unique skills in order to fulfill his plan. After all, hacking Wi-Fi is a relatively simple task if the owner of the router did not think about security (turned off WPS, updated the firmware in time, came up with a strong password).

Anecdote in the topic: “The Internet has stopped working. How to imperceptibly hint to irresponsible neighbors from above that the first number is already?

How to Protect Yourself When Connecting to Unknown Wi-Fi Networks

Follow standard and well-known network security rules:

1. Use a VPN to encrypt traffic. You can read more about this here

In the early days after the advent of the Internet, everyone tried to hide a huge amount of wires. PC users built them into skirting boards, packed them in special bags, fixed them to walls, etc. Special holes were even made in the tables for network cables. However, after the advent of Wi-Fi wireless technology, everything has changed dramatically, and you no longer need to think about how to disguise the cords in the room.

general description

Talk about what Wi-Fi means began at the end of the last century, when this technology was going through the testing stage. It began to become widespread around 2010.

Thinking about what the word Wi-Fi means, you should remember the English phrase “Wireless Fidelity?”, Which translates as “wireless accuracy”. It is from this phrase that the abbreviation “Wi-Fi” itself came about.

A Wi-Fi network is not the Internet. This is a special principle of information exchange between devices in which radio modules are built-in. Today, these devices are found in almost all modern models of technology and electronic equipment. T So, at first, modules were built into only a few devices:

• smartphones;
• portable PCs;
• handhelds.

However, now printers, photo and video cameras, and even kitchen multicookers have the possibility of wireless connection. And the tasks for which Wi-Fi is needed are becoming more and more.

A mandatory component of Internet access through the Wi-Fi system is the so-called access point. A router is used for this purpose. This is a compact device with standard connectors and amplifier antennas. The instrument is connected to the network using a twisted-pair cable, and antennas are designed to transmit information to devices connected "over the air".

In addition to the router, access points can create:

These gadgets must have an Internet connection using a mobile network (sim card with 4 G, 3 G or already outdated GPRS). In this case, the principle of transmitting / receiving information will be similar to that of a wired router.

Technology Features

The main task of Wi-Fi technology is visiting resources on the Internet, download files and communicate online without being tied to wires. Everything appears in the cities today large quantity access points that anyone can use. Experts have no doubt that soon the Internet will be available in any locality.

Radio modules are also often used to set up an internal network, for example, in a company. Lenovo specialists, who know what Wi-Fi means, have long developed a special program for mobile devices that allows you to very quickly exchange various files between devices using a Wi-Fi network without an Internet connection.

The application creates a special virtual tunnel that is responsible for data transfer. The advantage of this technology is that with its help information is transmitted several tens of times faster than with the use of outdated Bluetooth. So, a mobile phone can be used as a gaming joystick for a laptop or console. You can also change channels on your Wi-Fi enabled TV.

Application features

To get rid of the array of cables once and for all at home or in the office, you need to get a router in advance. The device has a special socket, which is usually highlighted in white or yellow. You need to connect a network cable to it. Then you have to configure the equipment in accordance with the instructions. After that, on all devices where there is a Wi-Fi module, you need to activate it, find the created network and connect to it.

It should be noted that the speed of Internet access depends on the number of devices connected to one access point. This is due to the fact that the speed will be proportionally divided between them.

If the PC does not have a Wi-Fi module, then it can be purchased separately. By appearance this device resembles an ordinary USB flash drive. The average price of the device is about 10-15 dollars.

You can access the network from your smartphone using the Hotspot function. For this purpose, you need to configure the option in the settings of your tablet or mobile phone.

Wi-Fi allows you to access the Internet without any cables and wires. The signal source can be any device that has a radio module. The radius of action in this case depends on external obstacles in the form of walls., ceilings and other structures, as well as from the power of the transmitting antenna. With the help of this modern technology, you can not only use the Internet, but also exchange files on different devices, as well as combine all gadgets into a single internal network.

Wi-Fi is a ubiquitous technology; in apartments on the Internet, a wireless Wi-Fi network is a must-have. Some pluses: inexpensive - one, without wires - two, reliable - three. It’s also easy to manage the grid with your own hands, up to an independent solution to the problem “why doesn’t the Internet work over Wi-Fi?”.

There are many misconceptions about Wi-Fi. Especially for those who have not closely encountered wireless Internet. So questions are born: how to connect Wi-Fi? Which provider should I contact?

Correct answers: connect exclusively with your own hands - it's easier and more reliable; Any provider is suitable - preferably one that already serves your apartment. The details are below, moreover, in simple language.

Quick educational program: Wi-Fi for beginners

Wi-Fi is an ordinary computer network. The usual wired "grid" - only without wires. In the Caucasus and Central Asia, it is customary to call a wireless network cheerfully, but with love - “wai-wai”, or even “wah-wah”.

Strictly speaking, Wi-Fi is just a technology for wireless data transmission. But in Everyday life By this word, we habitually understand the presence of the Internet - there is “Wai-Wai”, which means there is the Internet. And the Internet is a network, and any network must have some kind of link that connects everything to each other. In a Wi-Fi network, this link is a router.

A router can be compared to a radio station and a receiver, only it combines both: it transmits data and receives it. Devices, such as a laptop, are connected to it over the air (Wi-Fi) and communicate with it. The router in this case becomes an intermediary "translator" between the laptop and the Internet provider - it establishes a dialogue between them. Other devices, such as a desktop computer, can also be added to this connection. And now the router connects the provider (Internet), laptop and computer, and they all communicate with each other.

Scheme - how a router connects the Internet and computers ...

Wireless router - the heart of the Wi-Fi network

A Wi-Fi network has a center - a router (it is also a router). A nice box the thickness of a cigarette pack, with antennas and "light bulbs" - LEDs.

What is included in the tasks of a Wi-Fi router?

• receive Internet from the provider;
• distribute the received Internet to smartphones and laptops, tablets and desktops - in general, to all devices with Wi-Fi support. Within a radius of up to 30-50 meters. No more - in the conditions of urban concrete-brick buildings and several walls;
• link several devices with Wi-Fi to each other - create a network between them.

The heart of Wi-Fi is the wireless router

Router price- 15-60 dollars. The desired range is 20-40. More expensive models, priced from $ 50-60, are needed for specific needs: connect a printer or an external hard drive, hang a torrent client on it, or do other techno-geek interesting things.

Any device can connect to the router: tablets, smartphones. Also, modern TVs, video surveillance systems, and even refrigerators with vacuum cleaners are connected to the Wi-Fi network. With every Wi-Fi-enabled device, the router finds its language automatically and no drivers are needed for this.

How to choose a router for Wi-Fi: criteria and parameters

home router price

Preferably from 20 to 50 dollars for a modern model. Cheap devices are famous for "sores", say, from overheating. More expensive models are needed only when their owner knows what non-standard functions he really needs (like a torrent client, Internet broadcasts from 2-3 sources at once instead of one).

Router brand/brand

TP-Link devices have proven themselves well: cute, reliable, technologically advanced - for every taste. They, like representatives of D-Link products, belong to the “plug and play” class for several years. In principle, finding a very low-quality router for sale is a matter of trying. The device is quite simple, and therefore only very cheap “Chinese” have frank farts.

How many antennas do you need?

The bigger, the better? Not at all. Speed ​​and range will not be better (unless paired with a three-antenna router, an equally three-antenna mobile phone or other device works). Other times it's just marketing.

Routers by connection type

Where does the internet come from? That's right, from the provider, but what type of connection does it have? Among the options:

• optical fiber(in fact - a network LAN cable), it is also Ethernet. Typical speeds are from 5-10 Mbps to theoretical gigabit. Herself fiber optic line is carried out not to the apartment / computer, but to the entrance, to the provider's "box". From this “box” the usual copper LAN cable winds into the apartment. Its connector is very similar to a standard telephone, only larger;

Above is a LAN network connection port, below is an ADSL “telephone” connector. It is through them that the Internet “comes” to the router and is “distributed” via Wi-Fi.

It is very important to choose modem routers according to their connection type. The ADSL router will not work with mobile providers. The LAN router will also be a saboteur if you try to make it work with a dedicated line / 4G.

So, you need to know the type of your Internet connection - and accordingly choose a wireless router according to this parameter. There are also universal routers with two or more connection types: say, a 3/4G router gets along well with both ADSL and LAN cable. You can use only one provider, and keep the second connection as a spare (in case of emergency, when moving, or when changing Internet provider). However, usually the second type of connection in the router is idle for years, and costs an additional 5-15 dollars upon purchase.

Finally, there are wireless Wi-Fi routers that do not provide for connection to external networks and the Internet at all. Home / office devices work fine with each other and with such an “isolated” router, but are not able to access the Internet through it.

Routers by types of ports and connectors

The Wi-Fi router is a real mini-computer. Its functionality goes far beyond a simple connector. The more connectors and ports it has, the more functional it is.

Among the standard connectors of the router:

From left to right: antenna connector, power, factory reset button, USB port, WAN port, antenna connector, LAN network ports - and again the antenna connector.

• power connector: This is usually a round plug. It is always present, but speech, in fact, is not about him;
• LAN network ports: as a rule, there are from 1 to 4 of them (not counting the WAN port for connecting to the provider). The most convenient thing is when you have one stationary computer at home without a Wi-Fi adapter. We connect this computer to the network by wire - and save on the purchase of a wireless adapter. It's great when LAN ports support today's high-speed 1 Gbps connection - and it's bad (albeit cheap) when they are limited to the rapidly aging speed of 100 Mbps. This speed is not “external”, but internal: it is with this maximum speed that your wired computers will communicate with each other and with the wireless segment;
• USB ports: 1, rarely 2 or 3. An excellent solution for connecting a network printer, or a flash drive, or an external hard drive. Is it convenient to download torrent files without including the main PCs? Or print documents on a printer that is always connected to the local wireless network. Sometimes USB ports support connection of 3G (4G) modems from mobile operators: it's great to have a backup link at hand;
• sim card slot- usually present in routers designed to connect to the mobile Internet.

Selecting a Wi-Fi network standard

There are such:

• 801.11ac: The latest and fastest Wi-Fi standard. A router of this class can be recommended for purchase, as well as the next n-standard. To cost such a model a little more is an investment with an eye on a faster device. Yes - it's not certain that your current devices will be able to run at the speeds of the standard ac. In theory, this is up to a gigabit, or even one and a half - but only in theory: under ideal conditions, small distances, a bunch of antennas (on the router and on the receivers).
• 801.11n: This standard is quite modern. Works great with ancient networks b and g(and therefore often denoted by letters b/g/n). With data transfer rates it is more difficult than it was in the g-class era, but in practice you can count on a 2-4-fold increase in practical speed with the same range. Devices (receivers) with 801.11n support are the most common on the market even in 2017.
• 801.11g: enable legacy standard support b, supports speeds up to 54 Mbps. Routers in this category were common until about 2010, then they began to die out ...
• 801.11b: they say that someone even saw this dinosaur from the deep past "alive" ...

So - according to the standard of the Wi-Fi network, the router should be chosen either completely modern 801.11 n, or ultra-modern 801.11 ac. And ignore the:

1. legacy 801.11g.
2. marketing gimmicks like Gigabit WAN, 1000 Mbit and other WiGig. Although there is an interesting 801.11ad standard: the highest speed, but at minimum distances (5-8 meters) within the line of sight. A specific device for special needs, such standards are enough.

First Time Wi-Fi Setup

The router is selected, purchased and unpacked; The provider has been supplying home Internet for more than a year. How do you connect Wi-Fi with your own hands?

1. Power supply (included in the kit) - into the outlet and into the router itself.
2. LAN cable (should also be included, up to a meter long) - one end to a computer / laptop, the other to a router.
3. The router power button is in the "on" position. That's it, the process of switching on and setting has gone!

Router indicators - the most useful information for setting up and using

Router indicators, from left to right: power on (Power), Internet connection, Wi-Fi distribution, connections via network cables (1-4). Other models may have different indicators (or be absent), also - the location of the indicators varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.

The "bulbs" of the device are very useful. The user needs them like a driver needs a speedometer. Indicators are responsible for displaying the following information:

• power: the presence of current in the wires and microcircuits of the device. Normal indication - constant, even light;
• ADSL/3G/WAN: the presence of at least some signal from the provider: it is not yet the Internet, but ... Normal indication: either a steady light or “blinking”;
• Internet: the on (or blinking) indicator indicates the presence of the Internet already in the “box” of the router. On first power-ups and before setting up, this LED is normally off;
• LAN (1-4): the presence of "communication" between the router and the computer with which the router is connected by a network cable. Normal indication - frequent flickering of the port to which the cable is connected (and, accordingly, the computer).
• WiFi: LED blinking indicates Wi-Fi sharing. It often works already at the first turn on, even before setting up the network.

You can configure and manage a Wi-Fi network exclusively through a browser. All access to the “control panel” and router chips is carried out in this way - through the web interface. No more difficult than accessing an e-mail mailbox.

Why do I need to set up a Wi-Fi router: a password and other goodies

You need to do three things with the future Wi-Fi network (in principle, it has already appeared within the walls of the house):

• protect connections with a password so that only you and your loved ones can connect to this network;
• set a convenient name for the network and other parameters (optional);
• "make friends" the Internet from the provider with your own wireless network.

How to enter the router

You need to open a browser and go to the address of the router in the newly created local network(it was "born" when you connected the router to the computer via a LAN cable). This address is always written either on the case itself or in the wiring instructions. There are usually two options: 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.1.0 (dots between numbers, no dots at the end). "www" and "http://" do not need to be entered - the browser itself will substitute the necessary characters.

Entered in the address bar? Press Enter on the keyboard and get into the "security zone" of the router. Here you need to enter a username and password to access. This data is also present either on the body of the device, or in the "manual" instructions. The most popular "pair" for authorization from all manufacturers:

• login: admin
• password: admin

And here we are "inside" the router. Although the setting interfaces are different from model to model, there are general principles. Having understood the setting of one router, the user can easily work with completely different models, and even the language barrier will not hurt. By the way, oddly enough, it is preferable to work with the English interface: even eminent manufacturers have such “jambs” in translation that you are amazed. In English, everything is standard, and the words are familiar.

The main settings window of the TP-Link ADSL router. We are interested in the menu on the left. Namely - the section Wireless (wireless network).

The settings section necessary for working with Wi-Fi is located on the left in the menu - this is Wireless(wireless connection). For other models, a similar section may be called WiFi or WLAN- synonyms, what can you do.

Basic Wi-Fi network settings

Basic Wi-Fi network settings

The three checkmarks at the top indicate:

• Turn on (enable) wireless network. By default, Wi-Fi is already enabled;
• Hide (hide) broadcast the name of the wireless network. Paranoid mode: foreign devices will not "see" your wireless network without special preparation. The problem is that you will have to connect your new devices not the most in a simple way. We do not recommend this mode for the home: what's wrong with neighbors knowing the name of the Wi-Fi network?
• Isolate devices from each other (Clientsisolation): an infrequent feature, when enabled, each device will only be able to work with a router (receive Internet from it), but will not be available to other devices. The husband's laptop will not be visible from the wife's smartphone, and vice versa. Convenient for organizing public access points, but looks strange for a home.

Below is a field for specifying the name of your network (SSID / Wireless network name) - it is convenient not to get confused among the numerous neighbors "Connection_28153", "TP-Link_2343434", "Dlink-124". The home network of the author of the article is called Home. Boring and unoriginal, but illustrative.

Create another network with the unpronounceable name TP-Link_CA8458 among dozens of neighbors? No, it's better to have something more of your own. Home ("home") in our case.

Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi routers

1. Do I need to turn off the router at night?

No, it doesn't make much sense. And the power consumption is minimal.

2. Buy Wi-Fi routers at your local store.

Ordering from abroad or from the capitals is a thankless task. The reason is that local sellers offer goods that are adapted specifically to local conditions. What is the use of an expensive router brought from America, which does not know how to work with the Omsk frequency bands of a mobile provider (a real and frequent case from practice). Local sellers are usually able to guarantee the smooth operation of their goods with local ISPs.

3. What is the maximum number of devices that can be connected to the Wi-Fi router?

In short: a maximum of 10-15 devices.

Theoretically, the limits are very small. Because everything is limited to the number of devices with a unique IP in the current network. Each new device receives its own unique IP and the entire range of such IPs is: 192.168.1.1 , 192.168.1.2 … 192.168.1.253, 192.168.1.254 . That is, theoretically, you can connect more than 200 devices. But in practice, no router can withstand so many operations. A router is a small computer with narrow tasks, and in order to communicate devices it has to encode and decode signals. If there are a lot of such signals, then the router processor simply cannot cope with the task, and it will freeze. Routers of course are different: strong and weak, expensive and cheap. Therefore, it is difficult to say for sure, but from experience I can say this: you can connect up to 10-15 devices. If more, then even with their slight activity, the router will not withstand ...

3. What can you say about Apple or Google branded Wi-Fi routers?

Funny devices with stupid limitations. About how to make a separate electrical outlet from the same Apple to connect Macbooks. And fasten it with kosher screws with an apple brand (yes, this is banter). The benefits, to put it mildly, are few. However, there are “bitten fans”, such routers are made just for them ...

W.I.- FI is a technology that allows you to connect to the Internet over the air. To do this, you need to create an access point to which computers, laptops, phones, tablets will be connected. And with the help of an access point, access to the Internet will be carried out.

This is so briefly and in your own words, how to use WI-FI. But besides this, I will describe in detail in steps how to start using Wi-Fi, that is, at home home connect wireless Internet .

So let's go.

1. We connect the Internet

First of all, we need to connect the usual cable Internet. Today, this is done easily: we find a suitable Internet provider office for us and leave a request. In a couple of days we already have access to the network. But most likely you will have to skip this step, since you, and many other readers, have been connected to the Internet for a long time.

2. We buy a router

At the beginning of the article, I talked about an access point that will distribute the Internet. So the device is called for such purposes - a router, or popularly simply router. It looks like a small box with several identical connectors.

At a computer store or order online. These devices are manufactured by different companies. Their prices range from $15 to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. For our home, any device for 20 bucks is suitable, which must necessarily support wireless WI-FI technology.

ALL! We buy ourselves an inexpensive router with WIFI support. In the next step, we will look at how it connects to the wireless Internet.

3. Set up the router and turn on WI-FI

After buying a router, you need to configure it. This is done either by your Internet provider ( but you will have to pay for it), or by using instructions from the Internet yourself. I must tell you that it is not difficult. Type in search engine router setup and name" and select a detailed description.

Having configured the router itself to work on the Internet, we will also need to set up WI-FI. It will be enough to turn it on and set a good password.

4. Connect to WI-FI

We are approaching the most interesting and will start soon use Wi-Fi. On your device, for example, if it is a phone or tablet. Go to settings and turn on WI-FI. Find your network and connect by entering the password.

On a laptop, go to:

Start – Control Panel – Network and Internet – Network and Sharing Center – Change adapter settings.

Turn on the wireless network.

And also find your WI-FI and connect to it.

5. Install the adapter on the computer

To use wireless Internet on a computer, you need a little " shamanize". On the stationary computers usually there is no wireless technology. But this does not mean that we will not be able to connect wireless Internet for him. Everything is solved.

For a computer, we need to buy Wi-Fi enabled network adapter. It can be, as in the form of a board, and installed directly inside the system unit.

Or maybe in the form of a small flash drive and insert into a USB connector.

The choice is yours, but I must say that the first option is better in terms of connection. That is, it will be better to catch the Internet - the signal is stronger.

After installing the adapter and drivers, you can go online and connect WI-FI, as was the case with a laptop.

6. Use public networks

In cafes and other places where there is WI-FI, you can use it absolutely free. In addition, there is usually no password there. Therefore, we simply connect, open or any other and begin to surf the Internet.

Well, now you know how use Wi-Fi from any of your devices. And connecting wireless Internet at home is very simple.