2008 Woodie Awards
Unsecured wireless networks pose problems
Melinda Christensen
Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: News
Security experts make a big deal about securing wireless networks , but why should you care? What's the worst that could happen? Can you really be harmed? Absolutely.
If you setup your wireless router without applying any security measures, consider what anyone else can now do to you:
1)"Piggyback" on your wireless signal, diminishing your bandwidth (i.e., speed). Your Internet access speed slows way down because someone else is "borrowing" your signal.
2)Use a "sniffer" to capture and read your e-mails, instant messenger/chat conversations, web browsing history, etc.
3)Use your router to illegally share or download copyrighted music, which could lead to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) suing you. Can you afford to pay a defense attorney and/or reimburse thousands of dollars to the Recording Industry?
4)Use your router to hack into government or banking networks or even trade child pornography. The trail will lead the police back to you. If you can't show that it wasn't you, then you could face charges (and possibly jail time).
These threats are well proven to exist, often hurting innocent people who don't know how (or don't care) to secure their wireless networks. Take comfort in the fact that you can eliminate these threats by doing the following:
•Change the default administrator password. Malicious users know default router passwords, so change yours to the most complex password you can remember. Try to use 12 characters, including a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. This will make it very difficult for others to login to your router and wreak havoc.
•Change your network's name, also known as it's SSID (service set identifier). By default, your SSID is something well-known, such as the brand name of your router. You need to change it to something unique that does not personally identify you (i.e., don't use your street address).
•Turn off SSID broadcasting. By default, your router broadcasts its name. By disabling the SSID broadcast, you make your network harder to find. If they can't find you, they can't victimize you.
If you setup your wireless router without applying any security measures, consider what anyone else can now do to you:
1)"Piggyback" on your wireless signal, diminishing your bandwidth (i.e., speed). Your Internet access speed slows way down because someone else is "borrowing" your signal.
2)Use a "sniffer" to capture and read your e-mails, instant messenger/chat conversations, web browsing history, etc.
3)Use your router to illegally share or download copyrighted music, which could lead to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) suing you. Can you afford to pay a defense attorney and/or reimburse thousands of dollars to the Recording Industry?
4)Use your router to hack into government or banking networks or even trade child pornography. The trail will lead the police back to you. If you can't show that it wasn't you, then you could face charges (and possibly jail time).
These threats are well proven to exist, often hurting innocent people who don't know how (or don't care) to secure their wireless networks. Take comfort in the fact that you can eliminate these threats by doing the following:
•Change the default administrator password. Malicious users know default router passwords, so change yours to the most complex password you can remember. Try to use 12 characters, including a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. This will make it very difficult for others to login to your router and wreak havoc.
•Change your network's name, also known as it's SSID (service set identifier). By default, your SSID is something well-known, such as the brand name of your router. You need to change it to something unique that does not personally identify you (i.e., don't use your street address).
•Turn off SSID broadcasting. By default, your router broadcasts its name. By disabling the SSID broadcast, you make your network harder to find. If they can't find you, they can't victimize you.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
JOHN BLISSETT
posted 1/14/08 @ 1:14 PM MST
Hi
I have an unsecured wireless connection.Can it be made secure?
John Blissett
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