| There is no doubt that wireless technology has | | | | layers of security to try and deter hackers from |
| evolved the way we communicate. With the | | | | breaking in. Now, some of these things discussed |
| popular 2.4 GHz frequency being unlicensed and | | | | will not really add much in the way of security, |
| inexpensive, people all around the world have | | | | but it is additional security nonetheless. Hackers |
| been able to do things that were nothing short of | | | | love easy targets, so every layer of security you |
| impossible in the past. While this may be the case, | | | | add makes it more difficult for them to break in, |
| the same also applies to hackers; wireless | | | | and thus acts as a deterrent. That being said, use |
| technologies have allowed them to not only | | | | the following security measures on your personal |
| penetrate the impenetrable, but also break into | | | | AP: |
| personal networks with blazing speed (as in | | | | 1.) Hide your SSID broadcast. Your SSID is simply |
| minutes and even seconds if the wireless | | | | the name of your AP. Without it, hackers will not |
| network's access point [AP] is completely | | | | know the difference between your AP and other |
| unsecure). | | | | ones in the vicinity. |
| So what can happen if someone breaks into your | | | | 2.) Change the name of your SSID. This may not |
| network? Well for starters, it acts as a gateway | | | | sound like much but, the name can tell a hacker a |
| for hackers to break into your system. On top of | | | | lot about your AP. Using the default name |
| that, they can install sniffers (which allow them to | | | | probably means you are also using the default |
| steal such things as passwords and other | | | | password, which can easily be found on the |
| sensitive information), adware, spyware, trojans, | | | | internet. |
| viruses, worms, backdoors, rootkits, and other | | | | 3.) Use MAC address filtering. A MAC address is |
| malware as well as pursue wireless jamming | | | | simply an address burned into each wireless card. |
| attacks, encryption attacks, DoS attacks, and | | | | Using this filtering means that only the entered |
| other various attacks. In short, given enough time, | | | | MAC addresses can access your AP. |
| the sky is the limit on what a hacker could do | | | | 4.) Enable Encryption. Use the WPA or WPA2 (if |
| when they get inside your AP. | | | | available) security mode as well as the AES |
| At this point, many may say to themselves "Well, | | | | algorithm. This makes it way more troublesome |
| I have nothing of value on my computer, so I | | | | for hackers to eavesdrop your communications. |
| don't care if they hack into it". This couldn't be | | | | 5.) Use both hardware and software firewalls. |
| any farther from the truth. If hackers | | | | Chances are there is a firewall embedded right in |
| compromise your computer, they'll turn it into | | | | your AP, so make sure it is enabled as well as |
| something called a "zombie" (in other words, their | | | | firewalls on the networked computers. |
| slave), which will do anything the hacker wants it | | | | 6.) Keep learning about new wireless security |
| to. This could be anything from helping crack (or | | | | threats. Technology keeps evolving, so it is in |
| decipher) passwords, to breaking into websites, to | | | | your best interest to research computer |
| even breaking into other computers. | | | | protection articles and other related news sources. |
| Here's the kicker: if the hacker uses your | | | | 7.) Invest in computer security tools. While it is |
| computer to break into something and gets | | | | important to use layered security on your AP, it is |
| caught, guess who faces the consequences? Well, | | | | even more important to do the same for your |
| it was your computer that did the attacking, so it | | | | computer in case the hacker breaks through. |
| will be your fault, no matter if you knew about | | | | When it comes to wireless networks, deterrence |
| the attack or not. Whether it leads to fines or | | | | can be one of the most powerful things working |
| even jail time, you are stuck with a mess trying | | | | for you, providing you implement a Defense in |
| to prove that you are innocent, all while the | | | | Depth methodology like described above. With the |
| hacker carries on with his life and pursues more | | | | large amount of weak and insecure AP's that are |
| targets. | | | | live today, layered security will play a vital role in |
| Knowing about the consequences that can come | | | | whether or not outsiders try to break into your |
| from insecure AP's, there are many things you | | | | wireless network. In the end, taking the time to |
| can do to prevent outsiders from trying to break | | | | secure your AP now could be the difference of |
| in. Ideally, you'll use a "Defense in Depth" | | | | legal repercussions or identity theft down the |
| methodology, which means setting up multiple | | | | road. |