How safe is wireless internet? Is it safer or less safe than regular internet with security?

Answer 1

Just to clear things up, you're talking about WiFi internet access and wired internet access; wired meaning that there is a physical connection between your computer/laptop and your internet router.

WiFi access is in some cases less secure than 'wired' access mainly because with WiFi, you're broadcasting the signal in all directions and theoretically, someone could jump in and gain access to the internet using your WiFi. To combat that, most WiFi hardware is equipped with encryption so that the data packets being transferred back and forth from the WiFi base to your computer/laptop are encrypted and not as readily visible for anyone to see.

Bear in mind that no encryption is 100% safe, the idea is to make it more difficult to simply sniff and spy but it's not 100% safe.

Answer 2

Anything wireless is less safe than hard wired.
Whether it's phone or data.
Even stuff that is encrypted can easily be copied, scannned or heard, if it is wireless. You or the average person will probably not be able to do anything with this info but there are alot of "bad" people out there just looking for the right info.

I personally wouldn't use a wireless internet connection, for anything other than general web surfing.

There are cases where people drive around with laptops looking for an open wireless network to get online, some probably trying to hack into your computer, to get personal info.

Good hackers can get by any firewall or encryption, then again, if they are going to go through that much trouble just to get into your computer a hard wireed setup would probably to no safer and you probably have alot more concerns than someone hacking into your system.

Just remember if it's wireless it's less safe from prying eyes.

Answer 3

It depends on how you plan on accessing your wireless connection. There are three basic ways to access wireless - no protection, WPA (wireless protected access[password access]) and WEP (wireless encrypted protection[password access + encrypted data transmission]). If you are planning to purchase a wireless router for home/business, you should set the router up so the hardware has a password and set up your wireless connection with WEP (will keep your neighbours from surfing your DSL for free as well as keeping hackers out). If you are planning on using public access, find out how their service works - if it is completely open (no password access to get online) you might want to re-consider what types of work you want to do. Any connections that do not have a secure connection can theoretically be intercepted (messenger, email). Banking connections will be secure as the data is encrypted with your secure SSL connection, so your information can not be deciphered by someone intercepting the data packets.

Answer 4

It is much less safe as a wired connection but the main reason is human error in setting it up. Lets say we are sharing a connection (over a wire) & you mess up & give me access to things you did not want to. Well I am your only risk. Now lets say you share files & gave full access over a wireless network. I am now the least of your worries lol. It is critical to make sure you are sharing the connection & NOTHING else & make sure connection access is encrypted.

Answer 5

wireless internet is nto as safe as you think. if youhave a wireless router, you need to secure the router with a code. Call or access your router's web site and get help to secure the router to be used by your computers only. You can have several, depending on the router. It is possible for someone just driving down the street to use your wireless system to log onto there provider and it is free for them.

Answer 6

Unless you are using a minimum of 128 bit encryption, stay away from it. There are many ways a thief can sit far from you and pull and record everything you send including all personal data as you transmit. Very very important that you use an encryption program at all times with wireless.

Answer 7

It depends on your security but a wireless router can be good but a regular inter wire is safer all though it also can be taped by if you get a virus or something

Answer 8

wireless internet jurst secure as regular if proper security measures are taken like encrypting the access, setting up a firewall etc

Answer 9

Any thing that uses wires is inherently safer and more secure than wireless which uses radio waves which can travel for blocks.

Think about it.

Answer 10

the only unsafe part of it is someone can join your network with their wireless device, and use your internet connection or access files on your network computers.

there are ways to encrypt your signal though to prevent this from happening. I don't know how to do it, but you can probably find ways to on google.