Difference between WiFi and Internet (2024)

WiFi is a wireless network that is used to connect nearby devices witheach other and share the Internet via hotspots. The Internet, on theother hand, is a global network of networks where computerscommunicate with each other via Internet Protocol. Go through thisarticle to find out more about the features of WiFi and the Internet andhow they are different from each other.

What is WiFi?

WiFi stands for Wireless Fidelity. It defines any network based on the802.11 standards, allows computers and devices with the requiredwireless capacity to communicate via radio waves with othercomputers or devices. IEEE established the 802.11 network standards,which describe how two wireless devices interact over the air.

WiFi is a small network where smartphones, computers or othernetworkable devices are connected to each other wirelessly within asmall range and share Internet using hotspots. WiFi uses radiofrequency waves for wireless high-speed Internet and networkconnections. The size of a WiFi antenna is very small and can be puton small routers. WiFi can be used to connect printers, computers,gaming consoles, mobile and so on.

WiFi specifies how to physically create a wireless network usingapproaches similar to the Ethernet standard. WiFi is built into most oftoday's computers and mobile devices, such as smartphones andhandheld game consoles.The WiFi standard is widely used in hotspots, which allow mobile usersto connect to the internet using their WiFi-enabled wireless computersand devices. WiFi is also used in many homes and small companies toconnect computers and devices wirelessly.

What is Internet?

The Internet is the global system of interconnected computer networksthat use the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link devices worldwide.As the Internet is a globally connected network, so it can have multiplemore users as compare to the number of users on Intranet.

The concept of Internet was originated in 1969 and has undergoneseveral technological & Infrastructural changes as discussed below −

• The origin of Internet devised from the concept of AdvancedResearch Project Agency Network (ARPANET) which wasdeveloped by United States Department of Defense. The basicpurpose of ARPANET was to provide communication among thevarious bodies of government.

• Initially, there were only four nodes, formally called Hosts.

• In 1972, the ARPANET spread over the globe with 23 nodeslocated at different countries and thus became knownas Internet.

• By the time, with invention of new technologies such as TCP/IPprotocols, DNS, WWW, browsers, scripting languages, etc., theInternet provided a medium to publish and access informationover the web.

Advantages of Internet

• Internet allows us to communicate with the people sitting atremote locations. There are various apps available on the wedthat uses Internet as a medium for communication. One can findvarious social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter,Yahoo, Google+, Flickr, etc.

• One can surf for any kind of information over the internet.Information regarding various topics such as Technology,Health & Science, Social Studies, Geographical Information,Information Technology, Products, etc. can be surfed with helpof a search engine.

• Internet allows us to use many services like Internet Banking,Online Shopping, Online Ticket Booking, Online Bill Payment,Data Sharing, and E-mail among others.

• Internet provides the concept of electronic commerce that allows the business deals to be conducted on electronic systems.

Disadvantages of Internet

• There are always chances to loose personal information suchas name, address, credit card number. Therefore, one shouldbe very careful while sharing such information. One should usecredit cards only through authenticated sites.

  See Also

  HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans

• Another disadvantage is Spamming which corresponds to theunwanted e-mails in bulk.

• Various types of dangerous computer virus can easily be spreadthrough the systems that are connected to the Internet. Suchvirus attacks may cause your system to crash or your importantdata may get deleted.

• There are various websites that do not provide theauthenticated information. This leads to misconception amongmany people.

Comparison between WiFi and Internet

The following table compares and contrasts the different features ofWiFi and Internet.

Conclusion

WiFi is a wireless technology that establishes a wireless network toallow computers and devices with the required wireless capacity tocommunicate via radio waves. The Internet, on the other hand, is aglobal network of networks where computers communicate with eachother via Internet Protocol.