Wi-fi technology is popping up all over the place - literally. From airports to cafes in city centres, you can bet someone will have their laptop, palmtop or mobile with them, surfing the net while sipping at their cappuccinos.

But it's not only in public places that wi-fi comes in handy, some users set up wireless networks in their own home, using broadband providers on the host computer. Wi-fi technology has allowed for computers to connect and communicate whilst eliminating the need for tangle-prone cables.

All this is based on wireless networking, which allows two or more computers to become connected using a wireless router. This transmits a signal that is then picked up by other computers within a certain range of the host computer.

There are now a wide range of broadband deals that come with wireless routers, and the majority of laptops on the market come with built-in wireless transmitter, which allow for wi-fi signals to be received and for an internet connection to be established.

As we become more dependant on broadband technology, both for business and personal use, wireless connection has become more widespread - allowing for connection to the internet through a variety of devices.

If you have an older laptop, you can purchase wireless adapters which allow for connection to happen - these devices fit into your USB port or PC Card, detecting and receiving wi-fi signals and allowing connection to the network.

In an age where everybody and anybody can access an internet connection, sometimes for a small fee, from every corner of the planet - even the frozen Arctic - security over wi-fi networks is one of the issues we commonly see in the news and on technology forums.

So while our connection is freely available, if we are not careful our personal details can be easily plucked from the wi-fi waves while we surf away. The potential for identity theft and wireless hacking is a worrying threat to those who utilise wireless broadband on a regular basis.

However, there are measures you can take in order to ensure that your details are safe while you surf wirelessly:


Make use of security settings in your web browser. Broadband providers usually offer some form of security as part of their deals
Check if a secure network key is needed for access. These are usually available for a small fee and depend on the type of outlet where wireless is present
Try to avoid accessing sites which require personal information to access - including online banking and email accounts - if you're unsure of the security of the wireless network
If you need to access your email while on the move, try to use clients whose addresses begin with ‘https' rather than ‘http'