WiFi is the "friendly" term for the 802.11b Ethernet standard. It's the cousin to standard 802.11 wired networking and runs at a maximum of 11 megabits/second. That's plenty fast enough for most computer users, and more than fast enough for PDA users. It runs in the 2.4 gigahertz spectrum and shares that spectrum with microwave ovens, some satellites and 2.4 gigahertz cordless phones. 802.11b has a range of approximately 150 feet. Plenty enough range for the household and it can even penetrate walls. In corporate and university settings, several base stations and antenna amplifiers are installed to cover the large spaces and even courtyards of the average large business.

There have been articles recently published discussing security flaws in 802.11b. That doesn't mean it's a totally insecure medium. Transmitted data is scrambled. And if you choose to use encryption, the data is even harder to read. Encryption is available in two strengths: 64 bit (which really runs at 40 bit) and 128 bit encryption being the strongest available.

You can tell your base station who's allowed to connect and who isn't. If a hacker is using a wireless network device to listen in on your traffic and she's good at hacking, she might be able to intercept and read your data as it's transmitted over the air. However, she'd had to be within range of your network, yet manage to not be noticed by others. Not all that easy, after all. However, if you're setting up a WiFi network in a corporate environment, take care that additional security measures are used whenever sensitive data is being transmitted over the airwaves!