| In the last few years there has been an explosion | | | | have a unique address traceable to its owner and |
| of wireless (Wi-Fi) networks in the home. And for | | | | his or her household. This is called an "IP |
| good reason: They are inexpensive to implement, | | | | Address"-let's say 71.33.56.166. This number |
| avoid the cost and labor of running cable through | | | | uniquely identifies your home network from the |
| your walls, allow you to roam merrily around your | | | | countless others in the world. No two are ever |
| house and near environs with computer in tow. | | | | the same. |
| Plus, they are relatively simple to set up. I say | | | | This IP Address is unique for many reasons, and |
| "relatively" because it's far from a matter of | | | | one reason is that it allows certain authorities to |
| commonsense, especially when it comes to | | | | trace online activities back to the individual, |
| setting up wireless home networks "properly." | | | | household, or company from which those |
| You can get a home wireless network running in a | | | | activities originated. Even though you may feel |
| basic way- to access the Internet--by simply | | | | anonymous when you're surfing the Web, you |
| hooking up the cables that came with the wireless | | | | really are not. Any webserver or Internet Service |
| router device. This is what a lot of people do, and | | | | Provider can keep a log that records your IP |
| it usually works. But what many people neglect to | | | | Address, among other information about your |
| do is set up wireless security, and this is an | | | | computer and software. |
| extremely risky oversight. In this article I'll explain | | | | Now, this doesn't bother most people, unless |
| why. | | | | they're privacy advocates, because they're not |
| You Can Get "WarChalked" | | | | doing anything criminal on the Internet. But it's a |
| "WarChalking" is geek-speak for someone | | | | big problem for those who are committing crimes |
| piggybacking or freeloading on someone else's | | | | on the Web. How can they get around this? |
| wireless Internet connection, without that person's | | | | They can tap into an unsecured wireless network |
| knowledge or consent. | | | | in the neighborhood. This makes it very easy for |
| If you have an unsecured wireless network this is | | | | them to get around being identified by the proper |
| the least that could happen. Your neighbor might | | | | authorities. Why? Because it is you and your |
| be getting free Internet access by connecting to | | | | home network that will be identified instead! It's |
| your unsecured broadband router. There is | | | | your IP Address that will be recorded. |
| nothing to prevent this from happening if you | | | | Not many people want to get their doors kicked |
| have not set up your wireless security. At the | | | | in by the FBI during a predawn raid due to |
| very least this practice of leaching on someone | | | | someone else's Internet activities. Someone could |
| else's Internet connection can drain the victim's | | | | be using your wireless network to download or |
| bandwidth, causing sluggish downloads or surfing. | | | | distribute child pornography, hack into corporate |
| If enough people tap into your wireless network | | | | networks, or to commit credit card fraud. |
| your Internet connection could slow down to a | | | | Okay, Now I'm Scared. What Can I Do To |
| crawl. | | | | Prevent This? |
| Your Computer Can Get Hacked | | | | The quick and easy way is to hire a professional |
| Having an unsecured wireless network can also | | | | computer or network technician to secure your |
| allow people unauthorized access into your | | | | wireless network for you, or at least verify that |
| computer and private data. It opens up a | | | | you have done it properly. |
| "backdoor" even if your network is otherwise | | | | Each wireless router or gateway device can be |
| protected behind a firewall. Connecting wirelessly | | | | different when it comes to how to set up its |
| to your Internet gateway device (i.e., your Cox, | | | | security. The device should come with instructions |
| Comcast, or Qwest modem) puts an | | | | from the manufacturer or your ISP. |
| unauthorized user on the "inside" of your network, | | | | The most important thing is to set up the WEP or |
| just as if they snuck into your house and hooked | | | | Wireless Encryption Protocol. WEP is what |
| up to your network with an Ethernet cable. | | | | encrypts the data stream between your |
| Pretty scary, right? It gets much worse. | | | | computer and whatever webserver on the |
| Your Private Information or Identity Can Be | | | | Internet you are connecting to, preventing |
| Stolen | | | | unauthorized interlopers from eavesdropping on |
| If you purchase anything online you need to | | | | your online activities, credit card transactions, and |
| submit very personal information to the website | | | | the like. |
| selling the product or service: information like | | | | Just as importantly, it also prevents unauthorized |
| credit card numbers, social security numbers, | | | | individuals from connecting to your wireless |
| bank account numbers, usernames and | | | | network, either to piggyback on your Internet |
| passwords, etc. | | | | connection for free or to conceal their identities |
| Even if the website in question encrypts your | | | | behind your own. They must have the encryption |
| private information during the submission process, | | | | key to connect. |
| there's little to prevent an eavesdropper from | | | | There are also additional measures you can take |
| snooping in on the transaction or installing | | | | to protect your wireless network. For example, |
| software on your computer that logs your every | | | | you can disable the feature that broadcasts your |
| keystroke. | | | | wireless network ID, for all practical purposes |
| Your Home Network Can Be Used to Mask | | | | making your wireless network invisible to your |
| Someone Else's Illegal Activity | | | | neighbors. This is a smart thing to do but is often |
| Every wireless home network (or more | | | | overlooked. |
| accurately, every wireless gateway device) will | | | | |