Are Wireless Internet Networks Safe?

Are Wireless Internet Networks Safe? By Marvin Garellek, Contributing Editor to Main Street The Laurentians, Quebec. — Why are wireless networks so misunderstood? When we hear wireless, we think cellular, Internet café hot-spots and, my laptop connects wirelessly to the Internet. But what about rural wireless networks that delivers Internet and sometimes voice services to homes and businesses. We have all read or heard about the concerns raised from time to time about the safety of radio waves. Not surprisingly, some have also wondered about the safe use of wireless networking equipment. The wireless industry takes the concern from the general public seriously. Although questions have been raised there is no scientific evidence that these low power wireless communications devices pose any health threat to the user or the general public. These networks are deployed using Fixed Wireless Broadband technology. Although this technology has been available over the past 20 years, it is not well understood by the business and consumer markets. ‘Wireless’ in the business market is generally understood as either wireless LAN technologies based on WiFi 802.11 standards or cellular technologies such as EVDO, GSM, etc. Fixed wireless systems have long been used for voice and data communications, generally in back-haul networks operated by phone companies, cable television companies, utilities, railways, paging companies and government agencies. Fixed wireless technology has continued to advance, utilizing higher frequencies and smaller antennas. These newer networks are also characterized by higher reliability and increased data and access security. Rural wireless networks are designed to be easily accessible by users. The access point radios are placed on high sites like towers and silos, and are omni (360 degree transmission) and in some cases bi- directional (90 or 60 degree azimuth) and operate in line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight conditions (trees may be present within the signal transmission path). Users can access these networks within their home with an antenna on the roof that is pointed in the direction of the high site radio. There are two MOST IMPORTANT aspect of safety when it comes to wireless Internet; 1. Physical Heath 2. Computer Heath Physical Health Rural wireless providers like GROUPE-ACCES communications use directional, narrow beam, point-to-point antennas and radios that guarantee network access is available only to the specific customer who owns the communications link. Each radio at a customer location has a corresponding path back to the provider’s hub site. In order to operate, these radios must be pointed directly at each other within the centre of the beam path. This means that in most cases, people are not in the path of the signal and are not exposed to the bulk of the radio energy. Remember, the antennae are always above the home on the roof or a chimney. In the case where people are exposed to radio-frequency emissions from antennae used for cellular and/or wireless Internet transmissions, they result in exposure levels on the ground that are typically thousands of times below safety limits. These safety limits were adopted by the FCC in the United Sates and Health Canada here. They are based on the recommendations of expert organizations and endorsed by agencies of the Federal Government responsible for health and safety. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that such towers could constitute a potential health hazard to nearby residents. All radio signals from wireless antennas are subject to the same standards that are applied to all radio products used near the human body. These standards have been widely adopted by governments and health agencies around the world, including the World Health Organization (WHO). Just feel secure about it and know that the technology operates substantially below the required international safety limits. Computer Heath: A wireless network sends signals through the air instead of over a wire. Because of this, others can easily intercept the information you are sending when using an “unsecured” public or "open access" wireless connection. Imagine that you have a phone extension at home sitting in the front yard. Anyone can wander by, pick up the receiver, and listen to your entire conversation or make long distance calls without your knowledge. Wireless access can have the same issue. If your wireless router or access point is not secure, anybody within its range can use it. Anyone within range of your wireless device can easily monitor everything you do over your wireless connection! GROUPE-ACCES communications provides all of its customers a free wireless router that is secured using an encrypted passkey. There are times when you may find yourself in a situation where you have a need to use open public access wireless. Be aware of what information you are transmitting. It is recommended that you limit what you do to simple browsing and checking webmail. GROUPE-ACCES specializes in providing unique turn-key solutions for lake associations, municipalities and real-estate developers who are forever at the receiving end of citizen petitions for broadband service.