Wi-Fi & Network Security
Identify wireless constraints and basic defenses for real network use.
Shared airtime
Wi-Fi devices on a channel share radio airtime. Interference, distance, obstacles and competing stations can reduce useful throughput or cause retransmissions. An access point bridges wireless clients to a local network; it may be packaged with a router but the roles differ.
A strong signal does not prove fast Internet access: the upstream connection can still be congested.
Layers of defense
Use modern Wi-Fi security with a strong unique passphrase, keep devices updated, and protect applications with TLS and account authentication. A firewall can filter connections; network segmentation can separate guest and trusted devices. Confidentiality, integrity and authentication are distinct security goals.
Public Wi-Fi is not automatically unsafe for every HTTPS site, but you should still verify the site name and avoid ignoring certificate warnings.
Check your understanding
Which measure protects an HTTPS request between your browser and the server?