Is Ethernet safer than wifi?

The internet has revolutionized a lot in modern society from e-commerce to social networking. This has made access to services faster and easier compared to offline interactions.

Connecting to the internet requires the establishment of a connection either via a wireless network or an Ethernet cable. When one is using a laptop, you can connect with either compared to a phone which lacks an Ethernet cable port. The internet however comes with its challenges including safety. The internet has viruses that pose a threat not only to the router but also to the devices connected to the network. So, between the two methods, which one is safer?

Ethernet is safer than Wi-Fi because it’s less vulnerable to attacks compared to Wi-Fi. 

How does an Ethernet connection work?

Ethernet is a type of connection between computers and the internet or a connection to an internet hub. The network uses cables to connect a PC to the internet via a router or a central hub. The main components that form Ethernet hardware include an Ethernet card/adapter, Ethernet cables, and an Ethernet hub or router.

The Ethernet card/adapter is inbuilt on the computer’s motherboard or installed as an external card in the form of a device that plugs into the USB port and connects the computer to the internet via the Ethernet cable. This is used to send and receive data across the internet and network. It can be broken down into two categories – wired and wireless cards with some cards supporting wireless and wired networking. An Ethernet cable comes in various forms and contains several wires which are responsible for data transmission to and fro the computer. Now what brings all computers together and connects them to the internet is a central hub or router.

Why Ethernet is safer?

A lot of online attacks are carried out remotely without necessarily being in the same room. They include cracking the router’s encryption key or de-authenticating a connected device and gaining access into the network. Once inside, a hacker can inject a virus into the network that might infect any connected device. A hacker can even redirect your internet traffic to their network and steal your important credentials like bank account logins and steal your money. They can also cut internet connection to your devices. All these attacks are remotely possible via Wi-Fi since a hacker does not require being there physically to carry out the attack. With Ethernet, there’s a lower risk of a hacker to carry out such attacks unless he/she is there physically which might be impossible given the physical security that you might have in place.

How to set up an Ethernet connection

Setting up an Ethernet connection requires an Ethernet cable. Ethernet cables come in different forms including CAT5, CAT6, or RJ-45 and all have a square plug on both ends. This cable is responsible for connecting your PC to your router. Now, ensure that your router is online and locate the Ethernet ports on both your PC and router. On the router, the Ethernet port can be found at the back of the router and usually has a ‘LAN’ label above it while on the PC it has an icon that has a series of connected boxes next to it. Plug one side of the cable into the router’s port and the other end into thecomputer’sEthernetport. If your router is online, your computer will immediately connect to the internet without the need for a password.

The next thing you have to do is set up the configurations on your computer.

On Windows

To configure Ethernet settings on a Windows computer, navigate to the Start menu by pressing the Windows Key or by clicking the Windows logo on the screen’s bottom-left corner. Type in ‘Settings’ and select it from the results. On the Settings screen, select ‘Network & Internet’ from the menu and click on ‘Ethernet’. If you see your internet network’s name on the page with ‘Connected’ below it, then your Ethernet connection is working. If it’s not, then try using a different port or Ethernet cable and retry the above steps.

On Mac

For MacBook users, open the Apple menu on your PC, scroll down, and select ‘System Preferences’ from the list. From the list displayed, select ‘Network’ to open the Network window and then click on ‘Ethernet’. Next, click the ‘Advanced’ button located on the lower-right side of the menu and click on the ‘TCP/IP’ tab on the next page. Ensure the ‘Configure IPv4’ label has ‘Using’ DHCP’ as the selected option. If it’s not, click on the dropdown box and then select ‘Using DHCP’ from the list. Navigate to the right side of the page and click on the ‘Renew DHCP Lease’ button to ensure that you can access the internet via Ethernet. Once done, navigate to the bottom of the screen and click on OK to save the changes.

FAQs

Can an Ethernet connection be hacked?

Yes, it can be hacked if a hacker gains physical access to your network. You can improve your security by improving your physical security, keeping the network up to date, using 802.1X for authentication, filtering the MAC address, and using a VPN.

Can Ethernet affect my Wi-Fi speeds?

No, it doesn’t. However, the more people you have on the network, the slower the network will be.

Final Thoughts

While enjoying the internet, it’s good to keep yourself safe. One of the most secure methods you can use is an Ethernet connection despite the wirings.