| During the Black Hat 2007 Conference, a quick | | | | 2010 wireless internet use will double that of cell |
| display of hacker technology demonstrated just | | | | phone use (5). |
| how secure -or not- Wi-Fi hotspots are. In the | | | | These astounding figures should create some |
| middle of a conference presentation, session | | | | unease. The high number of unsecure connections |
| identifiers and cookies were captured from the | | | | increases the potential for data and identity theft, |
| internet browser of a random user accessing an | | | | as well as the loss of control of sensitive |
| unsecured wireless signal. The result? The helpless | | | | information. |
| audience member could only look on as his Gmail | | | | Though the new attitude towards Wi-Fi has |
| inbox was suddenly presented for all to see. | | | | recently shifted towards concern, the low use of |
| Though this was eye-opening for many, it | | | | encryption is still a problem. Many wireless |
| shouldn't be. Wireless networks have been | | | | network products have included built-in security |
| unsecure for years; in 2006 the University of | | | | features that offer added protection or |
| Cambridge surveyed 2,500 access points of Wi-Fi | | | | encryption, but customers struggle with the |
| networks around the University and found 46% | | | | setup, and the features go unused. |
| were unencrypted (1). An overall estimate puts | | | | Setting up your own network |
| that number even higher - around 95% (2). | | | | When setting up Wi-Fi at home, follow these |
| The reason behind the high rate of unsecured hot | | | | guidelines to increase the security of the network: |
| spots is simple: "People just really don't care about | | | | - Change the default name of your access point |
| Wi-Fi security" (1). The general public doesn't view | | | | (that it does not read Linksys, or Netgear, for |
| unsecure networks as a problem. People | | | | example) that does not disclose your name, |
| commonly offer to share their connection with | | | | company, or location |
| friends and neighbors, and log on to public | | | | - Make sure your Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) |
| hotspots. Despite the past apathy regarding | | | | is enabled or turned on, and check often for |
| unsecured hotspots, there is clearly a reason to | | | | security upgrades |
| be concerned. Connecting to an unsecured | | | | - Change the default router password |
| network is an invitation for hackers to easily | | | | - Disable remote access via the router Use MAC |
| snoop through people's inbox and cookies, putting | | | | authentication to validate only a specific list of |
| an unsuspecting user at risk for data and identity | | | | users allowed to access your network |
| theft. | | | | Browse at your own risk |
| Convenience of public Wi-Fi hotspots mistakenly | | | | If you connect to a public access point, there are |
| puts security on the back burner. Few are willing | | | | fewer options. Simply put, unsecured Wi-Fi use is |
| to sacrifice checking their email in the library or a | | | | a major threat. By connecting to an unsecured |
| coffee shop due to the potential threat of a | | | | wireless network, you are a sitting target for any |
| hacker. But increasingly, hackers are creating fake | | | | interested hacker. Information passed through |
| access points that appear to be real, easily | | | | unsecured web pages is accessible. Is it worth |
| deceiving wireless internet users. | | | | sacrificing all the information within your inbox just |
| "If you're connecting to a hacker's fake Access | | | | to check your email? |
| Point and everything you send and receive is | | | | Although there are problems created by |
| transmitted in clear text with no | | | | unsecured wireless networks, options are available |
| encryption...Anyone who doubts that this is a | | | | to protect emailed documents. It's possible to |
| problem should ask themselves if they would post | | | | create secure, encrypted documents that are |
| their email account passwords ... at the bottom of | | | | invulnerable to hackers, when accessed over a |
| this blog or go in to an airport and yell out their | | | | wireless network. If you plan to work on an |
| user account names and passwords as loud as | | | | unsecured access point, using extra security on |
| they can. If the answer is no then they should be | | | | sensitive files will assist in guarding against the |
| concerned with Hotspot security" (3). | | | | vulnerabilities created by using a hotspot. |
| Projected Use | | | | End Notes: |
| Current Wi-Fi stats state that wireless internet | | | | 1). Espiner, Tom. "Does Wi-Fi security matter?" |
| use will only increase. Wireless users are expected | | | | CNET News. June 27, 2007. |
| to grow by over 970 million users in the next | | | | 2). Acohido, Byron. "Public Wi-Fi use raises hacking |
| three years, bringing the number of Americans | | | | risk." USA Today. August 10, 2007. |
| with wireless subscriptions up to 87% (4). By | | | | |