The FREE Cybersecurity Glossary by Thor Pedersen!

Wireless computing: Any type of computer operation or application that operates without a wired connection. This includes activities such as internet access, file sharing, and device synchronization over a wireless network. It relies on wireless networking technologies like Wi-Fi or mobile data networks to provide connectivity. The benefit of wireless computing is increased mobility and convenience, as users are not tethered by cables and can access network resources from any location within the network's coverage area.

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): A type of network that allows devices to connect and communicate wirelessly within a localized area such as a home, school, office, or café. The most common standard for WLAN is Wi-Fi, which uses radio waves to provide wireless high-speed internet and network connections. In a WLAN, a wireless router serves as the communication hub, transmitting and receiving data from the networked devices.

Wireless networks: Data networks that use electromagnetic waves to connect devices and transmit information without the need for physical wiring. These can range from simple Bluetooth device pairings to complex mobile data networks spanning entire countries. Wireless networks enable flexibility and mobility, allowing devices to connect to the network from anywhere within the signal's range, making them ideal for environments where wired connections are impractical or impossible.

Wireless technology: Any method of data transfer or communication that does not require a physical connection via cables or wires. This encompasses a wide range of technologies and standards, including Wi-Fi for local area networking, cellular networks for mobile communication and internet access, Bluetooth for short-range device-to-device connections, and satellite communications for global coverage. By eliminating the need for physical connections, wireless technology provides increased mobility, convenience, and adaptability.

Wireshark: An open-source tool widely used for network protocol analysis. It allows users to observe the data being transmitted over their networks at a microscopic level. Wireshark can be used to troubleshoot network issues, examine security problems, verify network applications, and learn network protocol internals. Its utility in understanding and diagnosing network behaviors makes it an important tool for network professionals. Wireshark can also be used for capturing packets and improving cybersecurity investigations when incidents occur.

Wiretapping: The act of covertly monitoring and recording telephone and internet conversations. This can be done either through physical access to the communication wires or remotely through software exploits. While often associated with unlawful surveillance and espionage, wiretapping is also used lawfully, under strict regulation, for purposes such as criminal investigations or intelligence gathering. Regardless of intent, wiretapping poses significant privacy concerns and is typically subject to rigorous legal constraints.