Tag: wifi

Posted on by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

What if you could see through walls? We are not talking about a sci-fi technology in future but a reality that is possible today.Scientists in MIT have figured out a way to photograph a room without entering it and even detect movement behind solid walls.  This is made possible using radio waves that are used by WiFi. This technology is also called WiVi Technology.

How does WiVi Work?

We are always immersed in a sea of radio waves around us. These are transmitted by network towers, WiFi routers and our own mobile devices.

The team of scientist at CSAIL (Computer Science  and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory)  have used these radio waves to detect human movement behind walls.

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The antennae receive radio waves that bounce back from objects and humans in a room. Since radio waves can pass through walls, the receiver can pick up reflections from another room too.

The way these WiFi signals bounce off a moving target are different and hence it was possible to detect human movement.

Next the scientist taught a computer to learn what each kind of radio signal meant.  For this they had to train a neural network how the radio signals bounced off different parts of the the body and translate it into 14 key points like the head, elbow , shoulders, knees etc. This way the computer was able to display a skeletal animation of a person moving behind a wall.

This only allows 2D imaging with movements currently. The technology is expected to get better as AI is trained on better data sets and radio signal detection improves.

Currently scientists were able to detect not just the movements but also the people who were moving behind walls. This was done by mapping the postures and walking styles to each person. The computer was able to identify the persons correctly 83% of the time with wivi-technology.

Another remarkable work with WiFi imaging was done by a student at Technical University of Munich. Philipp Holl came up with a way to make a 3D representation of a room and all the objects inside of it, all from outside of the room!

This is done by detecting the WiFi transmission in a room. Routers emit WiFi signal and some of which bounces off objects in our house.

The technology uses these scattered waves to map the room. Two antennas – one static (also known as reference antennae) and another moving (called the scanning antennae) pick up the intensity and phase of WiFi signal. By stacking the 2D images received from these two antennas, computers are able to build a 3D picture of a room.

Remember that this technology does not require you to emit any WiFi signals. It can work very well with the radio waves already bouncing off the objects in a room. And since radio waves penetrate most objects it is possible to see a room even if you are outside of it.

Read Also : 15 Best WiFi Routers For 2020

With advancement of technology it will be even possible to map out a whole building using drones. Currently the resolution of picture is not very clear and the computers have problem photographing any object less than 4cm.

Applications

So what are the applications of this technology? An obvious use is in security and crime prevention. With the help of wivi-technology, police and law enforcement could see through walls in a critical situation like hostage and hijack.

Commercial buildings like offices and malls can also monitor the movements throughout the building using this technology.

Emergency services like fire fighters could see persons trapped in a building on fire. Victims of earthquake can also be found under the rubble with the help of WiFi signals.

Perhaps the most commercially profitable application could be in healthcare. Data on daily movements and activities of patients is important information for caretakers.

This will give doctors more data to treat patients of neuro-degenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Unlike a visual camera, wivi-technology will only capture required movements and leave out the private details of the patient’s life.

Privacy concerns

Of course anything that can see through the walls of your home will spark privacy concerns. Governments and big corporations have been caught spying on the daily lives of common people far too often in the past few years.

The worrying thing is that this method of spying does not even require the spying party to install any device in your home. They can simply pick up on the scattered radio waves of your own WiFI and map your entire house.

Of course right now the technology is in its early development and a lot of advancement is required before it can spy on people for any practical purposes.

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The onus remains on the companies and governments to use this technology ethically. Unfortunately, they have given us little reason to trust them with our privacy.

Posted on by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

Are you looking for a way to connect your mobile to the internet even when you have stepped out of house or travelling?

With the increasing interest of people to always stay connected to the internet, enthusiasts have introduced many options to connect your mobiles to Wifi anywhere on the go.

The only hurdle is to know the optimal way to get free wifi anywhere you.  While most of the options are available absolutely free of cost, a few ways are bound with some friendly conditions.

Here we are trying to help you out with this hassle by introducing a list of tested and proven ways to find WiFi anywhere around you.

1. WiFi in local business

First of all, you should have a better idea about your surrounding places. Many local businesses such as shops,restaurants and certain hotel chains around you will be offering free Wifi. So have an idea about such options

2.Phone Tethering

There are options to tether your phone to get internet connectivity. If there is a friend along with you, ask them to tether the internet connection if they don’t mind. Similarly, you can keep your mobile phone prepared with an internet connection so that you can connect your laptop anywhere on the go with a tethering option.

3.WeFi

This is an awesome website that works similar to Google Maps to point out the places where there is a free Wifi. This app automatically connects your mobile to the nearest best available network for free. It works based on the combined resources from many millions of users who have downloaded it.

4. Ask your cable company

Some cable companies will have options to provide free Wifi hotspots all around the town for their exclusive customers. So if you have an internet connection at home, better have a talk with your cable company to know if they are providing any such services.

5. Public WiFi spots

Many places such as railway stations, bus stands, airports, hospitals and parks will have free Wifi options. You can just take a halt at any of these places if you are in need of an urgent internet connection.

6. Browse right websites

If you are looking to pass the time by browsing a few sites, then local paid hotspots can be a good choice. However, this won’t give you access to the whole internet but only a selected sites.

Delta Airlines is such a good example where you can freely browse People magazine, Amazon or the Wall Street Journal on flight mode without spending a hefty sum from your pocket.

7. Use Facebook “Find WiFi”

This is another great option from the most popular social media platform. You can easily see public WiFi near you despite where you are.

Tap on the ‘more’ option after opening Facebook app on your device. There you can access the “Find WiFi” option.

8. Loyalty Programs

Some restaurants or similar hangouts will offer loyalty programs for their customers through which they can access Wifi for free.

However, they might use your email id to send deals, promotions and makes your inbox full. So have a good spam blocker before you go for such option or just keep an alternate id for such loyalty programs.

9. MAC spoofing

If you are technology savvy, you can try for free Wifi through some MAC spoofing. Most of the free Wifi sources have put a limit to the usage for certain minutes or hours. If you can do MAC spoofing, you can overcome this condition and access Wifi far more than the permitted limit.  

10. Coupons

Some websites are offering coupon codes for public through which they can get free Wifi minutes for a certain limit. Accessing such coupon codes are a lot easy than you think. So spare some time to keep a directory of such websites and earn free internet.

11. FourSquare

This local search site has a repository of places that offer free Wifi such as cafes, restaurants, bars and transportation hubs. You can access the user updates regarding these places including the Wifi details. You just need to Google for ‘wifi <place> foursquare despite your location.

12. Find hidden networks

Some places that offer Wifi keep that under hidden status due to privacy concerns. These options won’t pop up when you look for Wifi through normal search. But there are many apps that are now available for iOS and Android platforms to trace out even the hidden networks in case you can’t find out any.

13. Join a community

Another option is to join an online community which provides a list of Wi-Fi connections and passwords and you have the privilege of accessing it from a single convenient location. Instabridge is such a community which even offers passwords for secured locations in addition to free locations.

14. Rent Travel WiFi

This is not a free option but you can get value Wifi usage for the money you have spent. Also you will have to adjust the drawbacks such as slow connection speeds, small download limits, unreliable security, and other travellers sharing the signal.

TravelWifi.com is an exception where you can access fast and reliable internet from your pocket without the need for an expensive travel router or a change in the cell phone plan.

15. Hacking

Last but not the least, hacking into any favourite Wifi hot spot can be an option. However, it is illegal and so it is not recommended.

But if you are in danger or a serious situation and you need an internet connection to get some help, you can consider this as an option if everything else fails.

These awesome options can be a great help for Wifi lovers to connect to the world at their finger tips whenever desired.

You may also keep a check list of these options with you to help out your friends who are badly looking for ways to get Wifi outside their house.

With a few tricks and tips on your pocket, finding free WiFi is a lot easy than ever before.

At the same time, just keep a careful check on the fake WiFi options that may tempt you but might land you into trouble.

Posted on by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

Be it at the gym and local coffee shops, you can find WiFi networks everywhere today. While it is great of convenience, you’ll need to take out time to secure it by setting a network password.

If you do not have a strong password and leave your connection open, you are prone to malicious attacks and your neighbors could be leeching off the internet you get billed for.

A WiFi password can be set by anyone in a few simple steps. Having a wifi password will save you from countless headaches down the road.

Take a look at the step-by-step guide below to understand how you can set a password and make your WiFi safe and secure:

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1. Access your wireless router

This is where you need to start. If you have the setup disc for your router, use it to access your router. In case the disc is not available, you can access the router remotely over the internet.

Enter the router access URL into your web browser. The most common URLs are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, and 192.168.2.1.

  • It is advised that you use the computer connected to the router with an Ethernet cable to access the router. If you try and do it over WiFi, you will be instantly logged out after you change the settings. You will need to reconnect and log in to the network for further use and adjustments.
  • The username and password for factory setting routers is ‘admin’. In case this is not accepted, enter admin in one of the fields and leave the other one blank.
  • If you have altered the username or password in the past and cannot remember the same, just long press the reset button on your router to reset to default settings.

If you cannot access the router using any of the guidelines mentioned above, search for your router model online and get specific steps.

2. Go to Wireless Security Settings

Once you have logged in to access your router, you need to visit the tab for “Wireless Settings” or “Security Settings”. The positioning and nomenclature of the labels will vary from one router to another.

3. Choose an encryption type

There are several security options to choose from. The typical settings that you will see for most routers include WEP, WPA2-PSK, or WPA-PSK (Personal).

The WPA2 option is most secure for wireless connections and should be your choice. You may not be able to choose this option if you are using an older router.

Furthermore, if you will be connecting multiple devices and some of them are older router versions, you will not be able to choose and connect to a network that uses WPA2.

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4. Select AES algorithms with WPA2-Personal

Once you have selected WPA2 as the Security option, you could be asked to select the type of WPA encryption. If the option exists, select AES as the encryption algorithm.

AES, also known as Advanced Encryption Standard is the most secure algorithm for wireless encryption. Certain routers may also give you the TKIP option, however, that is older and less secure.

5. Set your username and password

The screen in front of you will show fields for SSID and passphrase. SSID is the name of the network, commonly known as the username while the passphrase is the password that you will need to enter on all devices trying to connect to the network.

Remember to choose a strong password. This must be a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. If the password is easy to crack, you will not be able to keep yourself safe from hackers.

Some online websites can help you choose a strong password for solid protection. Use them if you need to.

6. Save and Refresh

Click on the Apply or Save button to change your Wireless Security settings successfully. Most routers of today’s generation will refresh automatically and all devices that were earlier connected to the network will be disconnected until the new password is used to sign in.

  • For routers that do not automatically refresh to the new settings, manually turn off the router and wait for 10 seconds before you turn it on again. It will take some time to boot. You can notice the lights to see when your router has successfully refreshed to new settings.
  • Enter the new login username and password to all devices that regularly connect to your Wi-Fi network. Make sure you take a note of the password so that there are no chances of confusion in future.

To sum it up

To keep your WiFi network secure for long, it is advised that you change your password every 6 months. Here’s a quick summary of the steps you need to follow:

  1. Log in to your wireless router
  2. Select the Wireless Security settings tab
  3. Open the section for Passwords
  4. Choose WPA2 and AES for encryption settings
  5. Enter a new password and click on Save or Apply

Also Read : How Do I Secure WiFi Network

Posted on by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

WiFi is a technology that utilizes radio waves to establish network connectivity.

Wireless adapters help to build a WiFi connection by creating hotspots.

Hotspot refers to areas surrounding a wireless router that are connected to a particular network and enable access to internet services.

Once the process of configuration is complete, WiFi offers wireless connectivity to devices like laptops, smartphones, smart TV, and other smart devices by releasing frequencies in the range of 2.4GHz and 5GHz, depending on the amount of data on the network.

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Let’s explore the basics of WiFi to get a clearer picture of the technology being used across the globe to connect to the internet and communicate seamlessly.

What does WiFi stand for?

Most people are unaware of the fact that WiFi is an abbreviated term. And those who know are unaware of what it actually stands for.

The most widely accepted full form of WiFi used in the tech community is Wireless Fidelity. Wireless Fidelity is the same thing as WLAN, which expands to Wireless Local Area Network.

An Introduction

Wireless technology has significantly evolved lately and has spread like fire across the globe. It helps you to get connected from anywhere – schools, offices, homes, airports, libraries, hotels, and even some cafes, gyms, and restaurants.

This wireless technology is often referred to as WiFi or 802.11 networking in the tech community because it covers the IEEE 802.11 technologies. One of the most notable advantages of WiFi technology is that it can be used with any operating system, printer, device, or gaming console.

How does WiFi Work?

Just like mobile phones, a WiFi network works with radio waves to send information and data across a network. The device that you are trying to connect with the network must include a wireless adapter that will translate the information sent into a radio signal.

An antenna is then used to transmit this radio signal to the router for decoding. Once the data has been decoded, it will be released to the Internet via a wired Ethernet connection.

Wireless network technology manages two-way traffic. So, when data is received from the Internet, it is transmitted to the router for conversion into a radio signal. This signal is then received by the wireless adapter of the computer/device you are using.

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WiFi Frequencies and Radio Waves

WiFi uses radio frequencies to transmit signals from one device to another. These frequencies are absolutely different from the frequencies being emitted by walkie-talkies, mobile phones, car radios, and other devices.

For instance, a car stereo receives frequencies in Kilohertz and Megahertz whereas WiFi frequencies are transmitted in the range of Gigahertz.

In order to receive the information being transmitted in these waves, it is important to set the receiving device at a particular frequency.

This frequency range for a WiFi network is 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Your microwave receives waves at a similar frequency.

It uses 2.450GHz to heat food while the router sets itself at 2.412GHz to 2.472GHz. If you’re using old or faulty microwaves, you could have conflicting signals causing a WiFi connectivity problem when you try to make popcorn.

WiFi Frequency and Router Channels

WiFi uses 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. Your router communicates on a set of channels in this range. These channels are at differing frequencies making it possible for several routers to communicate in the same area without causing congestion or traffic.

This is similar to the distribution of traffic on a multiple lane freeway. Setting channels on the router is something you do not have to worry about. It is set up automatically as you connect your router with the computer.

Radio waves travel in air and cross through a lot of things on their way. Owing to the high frequency of these waves, they are capable of carrying a lot more data as compared to other radio frequencies.

You can stream Netflix and other live videos on your smartphone or laptop only because of the high speed and high capacity of these radio waves.

The Magic of WiFi

The real essence of how WiFi works lies in the processing that takes place on your WiFi chip. Every device has a WiFi chip that converts the 0s and 1s into radio waves transmitted to their destination.

At the same time, the device also converts these 0s and 1s into data that can be read by your device in the form of emails, web pages or any other activity you perform on your browser.

 To sum it up

The internet traffic is converted into 1s and 0s on your laptop, following which is it transferred to the wireless chip on your device.

The wireless chip converts these 0s and 1s into a radio signal for further transmission to the router.

The router decodes these signals to again create 0s and 1s and then converts it into the traffic from your device.

All of these steps happen at an incredibly fast speed giving you the results you see when using a WiFi connection.

 

Posted on by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

It is hard to think back to a time when internet was accessed through PCs wired into bulky modems and telephones. Today internet is accessed wirelessly everywhere from our homes to offices.

If you shift house or need to reset your home WiFi network for any reason you will have to set up the network yourself. This post is a simple step by step guide to setup WiFi at home.

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1. Get Subscription from ISP

The first step is to get internet package subscription from your local Internet Service Provider or ISP. This will vary from country to country and you will have to check the available ISP in your area. For example AT&T and Comcast are ISPs popular in USA.

2. Get a Router and note the SSID and Password

Next you will need a router that will convert internet data received into radio waves. A router is nothing but a device that converts digital signal into radio waves and broadcasts in your home.

Dlink  or TP-Link are some of the companies that sell routers. Each router will also have a SSID number and a password mentioned at on sticker on the back.

Note this as you will need it in later stage. If the SSID is not given on the device it will be mentioned in the used manual that comes with router.

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3. Connect to Modem

Today routers perform the function of modem too and work as a WiFi gateway.

For your practical purpose you have to now connect your router to the dial-up connection/ DSL/ cable modem provided by your ISP.

An Ethernet port cable provided by your ISP (or connected to Ethernet port in your apartment rooms) needs to be plugged into the router.

Look for a Ethernet port behind your router with a WiFi icon mentioned next to it and plug in the cable. Connect your router to a power point and switch it on.

4. Set Up the Home Wifi Network

Next you need to set up your WiFi in your internet browser.  Remember you have to connect to your WIFi which will show with the name of SSID mentioned behind the router.

Open the browser and type in the IP address depending on your router. For example Belkin users must type in http://192.168.0.1. and Linksys users have to type in http://192.168.1.1. in their browser. You can find this IP address in the router manual or on Google too.

This will open the settings for your WiFi network. Enter the SSID and password noted in step 2 and select manual setup. You can now rename your WiFi and reset the password. Select WPA or WPA2 as your security option.

Your WiFi is now ready to connect

5. Connect and Enjoy!

To connect your devices, switch on WiFI in network and connections and connect to the WIFi you have just setup. It will show up with the SSID name you have given while setting up. Enter the WiFi password in the prompt and you are good to go!

Since your router sends out signal in vicinity, it is possible for hackers to intercept your data or use your WiFi signals without permission. To avoid this make sure your password is unique and WiFi security is set to WPA or WPA2.

 

Also Read : How to Fix the Most Common WiFi Issues?

Posted on by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

A public WiFi hotspot is a network that everyone from the general public has access to. Users can use it to connect to other networks or the Internet.

A public network does not necessarily have restrictions and therefore one of the significant factors opposing its use is the security risks involved with it.

Public WiFi is extremely vulnerable to intercepts by hackers. Only if it is used with a virtual private network is its security guaranteed.

WiFi hotspots are also secure if they have been upgraded to the WiFi Protected Access (WPA3) standard. This upgrade requires the buying and installation of new routers.

While these concerns are of immense importance, they cannot contradict the truth that public WiFi hotspots help to speed up the cause of creating a digitally advanced country – Digital India. There are several benefits that people can reap from the rise in public Wi-Fi hotspots.

Reduced Network Congestion

To begin with, people struggle with the challenges of call drops. They experience 2G internet speeds even after having 3G and 4G connections.

Public WiFi hotspots are capable of addressing this issue. When WiFi infrastructure is shared, it offloads the traffic otherwise loaded on WiFi networks.

This reduces network congestion on mobile networks, especially in areas of high footfall. As the spectrum is freed from other loads of WiFi connectivity, the quality of calls starts to improve and congestion issues reduce.

In developed countries like the UK, France, and the US, approximately 30% of data usage is passed on to public Wi-Fi networks, as compared to a mere 16% in India.

Reduces Digital Divide

According to the Analysis Mason report, commissioned by Google, a rise in public WiFi hotspots in India will help 600 million people to get access to WiFi networks.

For successful WiFi infrastructure, more than 3 million access points need to be set up in the entire country across tier-3 cities and villages.

With faster internet speeds, passengers will be able to utilize their time better, which in turn is beneficial for the venue owners (particularly railway stations and airports).

More Economical

The deployment and utilization of public Wi-Fi hotspots can be cheaper in comparison to 3G and 4G networks. This is true in areas where fiber access to backhaul already exists.

Empowerment

Public Wi-Fi hotspots are a great opportunity for government institutions. This is because they can transform the area into a smart city.

Governments can improve their efficiency and empower the citizens with better services. Access to e-governance and electronic delivery of services such as Aadhar also gets boosted with the deployment of public Wi-Fi hotspots.

Tourism is also greatly impacted as a result of public WiFi access. When traveling, tourists like to stay in touch with their family and friends.

They like to access the internet for suggestions on sight-seeing, maps, and also sharing holiday pictures on their social networks. Tourists are more attracted to visit a destination that offers free internet services on-the-go.

Is the rise in public WiFi hotspots a boon for the country?

These advantages as solutions to congestion issues do not nullify the security concerns surrounding public WiFi. A report published by Symantec last year (2017) states that 96 percent of Indians are prone to the risks of data theft and other cyber crimes as they use public WiFi for accessing bank accounts and sending important media.

Cybercriminals aggressively target unsecured WiFi networks. The study also concluded that around one-third of the users in India accessed public WiFi for the purpose of watching explicit content.

Another interesting finding of the study stated that half of the Indian users connected to WiFi networks without the consent of the network’s owner.

These factors pose a huge risk to users. Nevertheless, many countries across the globe are installing public WiFi networks with the focus on securing them even more.

The number of WiFi users across the globe has crossed 9 billion and their protection over WiFi has become extremely crucial. This can only happen when the wireless security protocol is upgraded even further.

But keeping users away from the benefits of public WiFi hotspots in the name of poor security is not a good idea.

 

Posted on by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

Concentration of population in cities has been increasing since industrialisation. Millions of people immigrate to IT and Manufacturing hubs of the world today.

According to McKinsey, urban population is set to grow by 65 million per year by 2025. Technological advancements like internet of things, artificial intelligence and data analytics show promising potential to solve problems plaguing cities.

What is a Smart City?

A smart city is an urban area which uses data, technology and intelligent machines to manage the public assets and resources efficiently.

The vision of smart city is one where communities and environment coexist sustainably. These cities will be connected by high speed internet and will be free of pollution and traffic.

The concept of smart cities has been gaining momentum throughout the world and some countries have even built smart cities.

For example, South Korea has built the world’s first smart city Songdo near its capital Seoul. Everything from waste management to commute is planned intelligently to make a city that is free of cars and trash cans.

 WiFi as the Backbone of Smart City

An essential capability of future smart cities the integration of all systems for efficient usage and sustainable development.

This will allow intelligent decisions like diversion of traffic to other routes, detection of security threats or footfall analytics for upcoming projects.

This requires various systems, public authorities, citizens and businesses to be connected to each other in a single frame work.

All this is only possible with an uninterrupted and real-time connection to internet. This is why WiFi forms the backbone of a smart city.

Being the most convenient and secure way to transfer data today, WiFi shows promising application for smart cities.

Internet of Things (IoT) technology is evolving to work with WiFi and hence this wireless technology is best suited for smart cities. A public WiFi with high bandwidth will help smart cities to:

1. Connect the City 

It is estimated that 34 billion devices will be connected through internet in the next three years. In a smart city, devices like surveillance camera, building power grids, traffic lights, water supply checks will all be WiFi enabled for communication.

WiFi will enable all IoT based city services to manage resources more efficiently.

For example, traffic flow and parking systems can be controlled remotely by authorities with real time data. Power consumption and water wastage can also be minimised using connections with smart homes of residents.

IP video backhaul can be used for crime detection and a cloud healthcare repository will enable timely healthcare services in emergency.

2. Bridge the Gap

A free WiFi will bridge the digital divide among residents of smart city. Since information is the most important resource in the knowledge economy of today, this will also bridge the social and economic gaps in population.

Smart cities can aim for equality of income, knowledge and opportunities thanks to public WiFi

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3. Provide Amenity

WiFi is a valuable commodity for residents, visitors and businesses. Good connectivity will attract residents as well as companies to set up shop in smart cities. Tourists also benefit with good connectivity, easily available information and digital kiosks.

Student community can thrive easily in such an environment and hence universities will look forward to setting up campus in smart cities. In short, WiFi is an essential fuel  for the economic engine of smart cities.

Costs of Implementing WiFi

Budgeting of project and costs to end customer have a real impact on the project and they must be taken care of. In the city of Songdo we mentioned above, high living cost is driving away residents.

The smart city that was built for 300,000  has only 100,000 residents and is reeling under project completion delays.

For most smart city projects, governments are doing majority of the project funding. Others projects like the  New York’s LinkNYC are working in public-private partnerships.

The cost of WiFi and smart city amenities can be passed on to residents by charging for premium access or maintenance taxes.

Private players can also monetize through ads, promotions and other business services. Since WiFi is a cheap technology that only uses radio waves for transmission of data, it is a low-cost option that will keep the cost of operation minimal.

Security and Privacy

It is clear that a lot many things will be monitored and recorded in a smart city. This gives rise to concern about privacy and security of  data.

Private WiFi technology is safe with the implementation of WPA2 protocol but it is not infallible. The security of public WiFi is somewhat weaker and there are cases of hacking in public networks.

Since all critical city systems will be accessible through public WiFi, security of WiFi cannot be compromised in a smart cities.

Questions regarding privacy of data will also have to be addressed. Who owns the data of a smart home and how much of control do the public authorities have in remote controlling of a building or a home? These are some challenges that remain to be solved.

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Conclusion

The smart city industry is expected to be worth $400 billion by 2020. Nations will have to either build these cities from ground up or convert big cities using the existing infrastructure.

Whatever the strategy, WiFi will play a central role in functioning of smart city. It will be the enabler of intelligent systems that talk to each other and build a sustainable environment.

Posted on by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

Wifi issues can be quiet disruptive if internet lies at the heart of your routine. You cannot access your email and browsers; movie streaming becomes a challenge; updates on social media take too long making you miss out on a lot, and your phones start to depend on data plans.

The reasons for an interruption in your Wi-Fi connection are plenty – the location of the router, firmware limitations, hardware issues, signal congestion, or just the size and vastness of your house.

Whatever it may be, slower internet speeds are not easy to handle and can really bother you at times, especially if you are trying to complete an important task at hand.

Here is a list of some of the most common Wifi issues along with suggested solutions to fix the same:

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1. Router Location & Distance

Internet speeds have drastically increased over the last few years. Despite such a tremendous improvement, some wireless and wired networks tend to get bogged down.

Slowing down the speed of data transfer due to the distance of the router is the most common wifi issue. If the router is too far, the connection will get unreliable.

Suggested Solution – Bring your device close to the router. If the router is lying in another room, go into the room where the router is lying and see if that helps to fix the problem.

In case the problem persists, place your router at a height away from other obstructions and interfering devices. You can also try placing it in a central location of your home.

2. Router Firmware

If your router’s firmware is not updated, you could be missing out on the advantages of certain features. Security issues might also be hampering the performance.

Suggested Solution – Visit the administration page of your router and check for any recommended updates. Review, download and install the same to enjoy additional features and improvements.

The step-by-step guide to upgrading your router’s firmware will be dependent on the make and model of the router. Take a look at the manufacturer’s website for more information and detailed directions.

3. Bandwidth

Another common reason for Internet speed slowdowns is lack of bandwidth. When several members in the house are using the internet on different devices to access data-hungry applications, your otherwise fast internet connection spreads out thinly and is distributed across multiple devices.

Suggested Solution – Try and reduce the load by disconnecting devices that don’t require an internet connection. If the use of YouTube and Netflix is high, connect one of the devices directly to the router with the help of a Cat-5 ethernet cable.

This allows for some of the wireless bandwidth to be free. You must also check the data plan you have because if your internet speed from the backend is not enough to support such high use, you will always experience slowdowns.

Another important thing to check is the security of your internet connection. If you have an open network, chances that someone nearby is leeching off your bandwidth are high. Setup the security for your network and share your password only with a few.

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4. Outdated Router

Wireless technology has significantly evolved in the last one decade. Wireless standards have updated, internet speeds are faster, fiber is introduced in most areas, and the number of devices requiring an internet connection is higher.

Now, even your television, printer, smartphone, speakers, refrigerator, security systems, lights, and more are dependent on the internet. An outdated router cannot support all devices simultaneously.

Suggested Solution – If the internet speed is affected due to modem limitations, it is time for you to upgrade. It is recommended that you purchase a new router every two years as advancement in technology requires you to upgrade with the latest technology.

5. No Internet

In certain situations, the router just stops communicating because of technical glitches. There isn’t a specific and distinct reason for the same.

Suggested Solution – Start by unplugging both the router and modem. Disconnect power and wait for around 30 seconds before you power it again.

6. Internet Service Outage

Sometimes the internet connection drops completely, not because of a hardware trouble but because of backend service interferences. There isn’t much to explain and do in such a scenario because it just happens.

Suggested Solution – Visit a coffee shop to use their internet services or use your phone’s hotspot connection. Meanwhile, connect with the team at your Internet Service Provider’s end and inform them about the outage so that they can fix it.

Unfortunately, calling the ISP won’t give you instant internet speed and recovery but they will at least be informed of the affected areas and take relevant actions.

Most professionals today are extremely dependent on WiFi services and internet speeds must be fast. If the fixes mentioned above do not help, contact a technician and take their guidance to fix slow internet connections.

Posted on by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

Wifi technology is extremely convenient because it allows us to access the internet wirelessly. Connecting your laptop to Wifi is really simple. Let’s look at the components of a Wifi Setup to understand how to connect to a WiFi in three easy steps.

Modem : A modem is device the converts the analog signal into digital signal. It is short from for modulator-demodulator and is required to convert the data from internet that travels through optical fibers.

Quick Fact – Do you know how internet connections are made possible between your Internet Service Provides (ISP) and servers across the globe? This is not done wireless or through the satellite.

Data is transmitted through optical fibers laid in the oceans. These cables are called Submarine Cables and physically connect all the continents and countries of the world.

Router : A router is a device that is connected to Modem and converts the digital data into radio waves. Radio waves are what makes WiFi possible.

Instead of transmitting data from internet via a cable connected to modem (like in the old days), the data in a WiFi network is carried by radio waves.

Nowadays some ISP provide the modem and router in a single device to make things easier. The router is just connected to the cable that comes from the local Internet Service Provider (ISP) of through the ethernet ports given in the apartments (which are again connected to cables by ISP)

Laptop: Your router is connected to your computing device like laptop, mobile and PC through the radio waves. All modern devices have an in-built  WiFi adapter that can send and receive data wirelessly (through radio waves) from your router.

This is the setup of a WiFi network, now lets look at how to connect your Laptop to WiFi in 3 simple steps:

Step 1

Make sure your WiFi network is active, router is on and modem is connected. Also keep WiFi password handy as you will be prompted to enter it in next step.

If it’s your first time starting a WiFi in your home/ office you will have to setup the WiFi network with the secure password.

To setup a WiFi, just switch on and connect your router and modem to the cable / Ethernet port provided by your local ISP.

After that you need to go to your browser in your laptop and type in your IP address. This IP address will depend on the router service you use.

For example Belkin users must type in http://192.168.0.1. and Linksys users have to type in http://192.168.1.1. in their browser. You can find this IP address in the router manual or on Google.

You can then set your routers username and password. Set the SSID (wireless capability) as active and type in the username and password provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Choose WPA as your security. You can take help from your ISP to set this up or if you run into problems.

Step 2

Now that the your WiFi is setup and working switch on your laptop. There will be an internet access icon at the bottom right of your screen. Simple click on it and select the name of WiFi you want to connect to ( or the one you set up in previous step).

attendance app

If you don’t see the icon, go to settings in your laptop. Select Network & Internet in it and select WiFi. Switch on WiFi and you will see all the WiFi networks available in your vicinity. Select the WiFi you want to connect to.

Step 3

Most WiFi networks will have a password to secure data. You will get a prompt to enter in password once you click on the WiFi you want to connect. Just enter the password given by the WiFi owner (of the one you setup in step 1)

Your laptop is not connected to Internet via router and Ethernet/ Dial – In connection provided by your ISP. Remember that the data is being carried form the router to your laptop by the radio waves with frequencies between 2.4 GHz and 5Ghz.

You are now free to move about anywhere within the WiFi  range. Usually the range of WiFi router is 50 – 70 meters.

 A Word about Public WiFi

Free WiFi are available in every cafe, restaurant and airport today. These are public WiFi available to everyone in the premise.

You can connect to these in the same three steps mentioned above. Just ask the café owners/ customer service authorities to give you the password for the WiFi.

wifi attendance

Remember that any public WiFi with no password protection is not safe. Hackers can easily intercept the data sent from your laptop/ mobile and hack your accounts or infect your device with malware.

Another strategy used by hackers is to setup a free WiFi with a rogue name that is misleading. So do not connect to any WiFi whose source is not known to you or is not trusted.

Posted on by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

The abandoned frequencies over network caused the genesis of the wireless network what we now call the WiFi or 802.11.

The wireless protocol was aimed at providing short range wireless connectivity. The technology was prefabricated and easy to bring into action.

Why WiFi wins the hearts of IoT breeders?

It’s devious features ofcourse!

WiFi is flexible and easily connects to devices . But most importantly it is essential to the very crux of IoT. By crux we mean the sensors that support the IoT tech.

IoT connectivity basically looks for features like low power and wide range.

Let’s weigh

Standard 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac limits the scope of usage when it comes to power consumption, range and congestion issues with spectrum.

The Wi-Fi highways are a lot more crowded owing to the bazillion devices which take the same route for connectivity.

These standard Wi-Fi issues were addressed by introducing two new specifications 802.11ah and 802.11ax.

Why WiFi could possibly lead other networks ?

Successful IoT setup demands certain requirements:

  • Easily manageable network
  • Easy to connect things over cloud
  • Incorporation with other systems
  • Swift adaptation
  • Safety defiance of the network

WiFi fulfills all the above necessities.

WiFi HaLow (802.11ah)

IEEE in 2016 crafted the WiFi HaLow spec to resolve the range and power issues of IoT. This technology provides a broader range along with low power. It is tweaked for expanding the connectivity radius to one kilometer. The power use is moderated with wake/doze periods.

It is loaded with the ability to group stations for decreasing contention and relay. This helps to widen the circle.

Given the plausible upgrades the technology is still not popular among the WiFi mercantile.

HaLow is vigorous and dominates in tricky environments. The low frequency range helps it pierce through any kind of obstacles that other frequencies would bounce off.

IEEE 802.11ax

It is designed to operate in the licensed spectral bands of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz spectrums. The throughput is amplified using higher order 1024 QAM modulation. The new amendment offers OFDMA for enhanced spectral efficiency.

IEEE 802.11ax will hit the stores somewhere in 2019.

Conclusion

The popularity of WiFi is due to its reliable solution to connectivity issues. Amongst a ton of wireless tech currently prevailing the market, wrapped by by the uncertainity of their performances and survival vendors are bound to run towards WiFi. This being for a simple reason. WiFi has dealt with the challenges of progressing tech and displayed the power of security like none other.

Few Campus and on-premises IoT devices can exploit standard WiFi band widths. But usually this is not preferred for IoT technology.

WiFi HaLow, based on 802.11ah is crafted for IoT but demands specialized infrastructure and patrons. 802.11ax guarantees improved efficiency. But the truth will be revealed only once the product is out in the market.

IoT features are looking out for some big leaps themselves.