Many people who have purchased broadband routers have gone for the option of adding wireless connectivity and the appeal of browsing the Internet from the garden or listening to your mp3 collection in the bath has prompted many others to add wireless connectivity to their existing systems.
Unfortunately, in an effort to make their products easy to set up and therefore sell, many of the manufacturers of these wireless units have bypassed the security aspects of wireless networking and have enabled insecure wireless by default.
This may not seem a serious problem for the average home user, who may even be unaware that their network is being browsed, but in a time where identity theft is becoming more common it provides a way for unscrupulous people to obtain personal information about their target.
Even more concerning is the fact that many businesses use cheap, domestic grade equipment on their company networks. Combine this with the poor security commonly found on small business networks and anyone with a basic knowledge of wireless can browse sensitive company data.
A walk around any small town with a wireless enabled PDA will reveal tens or even hundreds of unsecured networks and this has led to a whole new pastime known as War Chalking where chalk marks are placed in public spaces to advise fellow War Chalkers of available networks.
I strongly advise anyone with a wireless network to thoroughly check the security settings on their system and, if you are unsure, to get an independent audit performed.
Who's On My Network
Unfortunately, many, or even most, wireless units don't come with security features already functioning. This may not seem like a big issue to someone who is simply setting up a home network, but there are a number of potential problems you should consider.
The most serious problem is the increase in identity theft. If your network is unsecured, the personal data on your wireless electronic equipment is also unsecured. The order you just placed for a book at Amazon may have given your contact and payment information to an unscrupulous hacker!
Nearly every town in which "WiFi" is common will have "War Drivers" and "War Chalkers" at work. These are people who walk or drive around town with wireless equipment, searching for unsecured networks. The "Chalkers" then live up their name, marking curbs and other public items with chalk so that others can more easily find and exploit your network.
Not all "War Drivers" are hackers, of course. Many just want to use your network for free, but the risk is high if you don't learn how to protect yourself. You can usually find quite a bit of free information as to how to secure your network at the website of your router's manufacturer, or by doing a search in a search engine for a phrase like "secure home wireless."
Beyond the truly malicious, there are also your neighbors who may find your network by accident and enjoy nosing into your activities and using your Internet access at will, slowing down your network speed in the process.
Even many businesses use cheap, home-use quality equipment for their company networks. With the poor security often found on small business networks, anyone with a basic knowledge of wireless can access sensitive company and customer data.
If you are unable to secure your network yourself, there are many service companies who will do it for you. A search of your local yellow pages or an inquiry at your neighborhood computer store should yield professional help and get your private data private again
Both Steve Blampied & Jason Frovich are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Steve Blampied has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet, Marketing and Firewall. Steve Blampied is an ITexpert and webmaster in Jersey in the Channel Islands.. Steve Blampied's top article generates over 880 views. to your Favourites.
Jason Frovich has sinced written about articles on various topics from Adware, Software and Entertainment Guide. New forms of malicious Spyware and Adware are constantly created and in order to protect your computer from infestations you must choose a high-quality program and keep it updated. We offer progra. Jason Frovich's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.
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