Wi-Fi is a ubiquitous technology that makes Internet access on many devices at once possible without much difficulty. It allows devices to connect to a network without the need for a cable, which is an excellent property due to the number of Internet-enabled devices that people currently use. It is also continually improving, with new, highly capable devices appearing regularly. However, the nature of the technology, combined with its popularity, can lead to privacy concerns. Many people likely can no longer function efficiently without Wi-Fi, but humanity should be careful about its dangers.
The appearance of Wi-Fi has enabled the creation of portable devices that can remain connected to the Internet in many locations. They can interact and work with online services independently, a feature known as the Internet of Things that is becoming pervasive in everyday life (Nolin & Olson, 2016). Furthermore, people such as Zhang, You, and Long (2017) are working on addressing the technology’s weaknesses such as range. However, there is a possibility that Wi-Fi may be used to track people’s movements and location (Sapiezynski, Stopczynski, Gatej, & Lehmann, 2015). This makes excessive adoption of the technology potentially dangerous.
It is challenging to create a solution that will resolve this issue, as it relies on data that Wi-Fi hotspots have to collect. However, improved security and a lack of centralization in access point ownership can contribute significantly to the continued safety of the technology’s users. Ultimately, a feature that would disable the possibility of spying using Wi-Fi would be beneficial. If the technology is safe, it can grow further due to increased user trust and find additional applications, enabling more convenient uses.
References
Nolin, J., & Olson, N. (2016). The Internet of Things and convenience. Internet Research, 26(2), 360-376.
Sapiezynski, P., Stopczynski, A., Gatej, R., & Lehmann, S. (2015). Tracking human mobility using WiFi signals. PloS One, 10(7), e0130824.
Zhang, H., Lou, H. L., & Yong, S. K. (2017). U.S. Patent No. 9,712,358. Web.