A method of wirelessly transmitting or receiving a packet of information, and an apparatus to wirelessly transmit or receive a packet of information. In the case of transmitting, the method includes streaming a data element, including at least some of the contents of the packet, over a network link during transmit time, including encrypting the data element during the streaming in real time prior to the transfer over the network link. In the case of receiving, the method includes streaming a data element, including at least some of the contents of the received packet, over a network link during receive time, including decrypting the data element during the streaming in real time after to the transfer over the network link. The transmitting or receiving is by a station of a wireless network and the streaming is to or from the station from or to a network device coupled to the station by the network link.