IT Security and You! Part 2 - Wireless Networks


by David Baldwin - Date: 2007-04-19 - Word Count: 783 Share This!

IT Security and You!

Did You Lock the Doors and Windows When You Left For Work This Morning?

Part 2: Wireless Networks

I got a new mobile phone the other day, it's an O2 XDA with WiFi and like most gadgets, I like it! It has been a little annoying when driving around though, and prompted me to write this.

Along almost every street and often at least once on every estate my mobile merrily beeps away at me, would I like to join an un-secured network? I never do, but I could and anyone with hardly any technical knowledge and a laptop can! even neighbours!

Now this is perhaps the most common open door in the UK and it is not limited to homes, as many businesses with busy or dare I say it inexperienced IT staff have WiFi networks wide open with old routers or default settings. Perfect targets for hackers and opportunists alike!

THERE IS NO EXCUSE

Finding out how to secure your network is as easy as locking the front door - so do it and do it now. All routers come with guidance, easy to use manuals or even automated installation disks; normally all you have to do is to enable WEP.

If you are using an old router that does not support WEP or have some form of security enabled, that fully blocks unwanted visitors, replace it (recycle where you can of course).

The biggest problem is people may have hurried to install the WiFi to get on the internet, or worse still, they have a 'Techi' friend install it for them. Make sure they activate WEP; if they do not know what WEP is they are not a 'Techi' of any merit.

The main thing to do is check whether you are secure, if you know someone with a PDA or Laptop with WiFi see if they can set up in your reception, living room or even outside your building or home. See if they can connect without WEP, If they can see your unsecured network, You Must Secure It! I will not go into how to actually connect to those networks and use resources, browse the internet or retrieve your data, suffice to say, it is much too easy to do without me helping!

Another way to check your security is to connect to your WiFi router, your manual has details of how to do this, if not use the internet to go to the routers manufacturers' website and download a new copy (while you are there, check for security updates for your specific device).

Once connected to your router, check that WEP is enabled. Also check that you have not enabled management of your router from the internet (normally disabled by default (one hopes)).

Do Enable WEP

Do change your Password for the Router, if you keep your router manual secure, enter the new password in there. I say this as one rarely has to access a router to manage it once WEP is enabled and it is set up, so a password can be easily forgotten.

If you do not enable WEP and leave your router and network vulnerable to attack then you will get attacked...

· Identity theft is made simple by un-secured routers

· Personal files and Images can be accessed

· Some may even use your networks to piggy back on to other networks

The above are just some of the issues you may come across if un-secured.

Remember NOTHING GOOD can come of your network being un-secure.

If you are un-secure, do not be embarrassed just secure you're WiFi, even the most diligent security companies' make mistakes; I once found that a security server for one of the biggest IT security firms was completely open to everyone on the internet , because an IT manager made a mistake (no it is not still open to attack).

Lastly, when you install or configure WEP do not use a too obvious name for your router network, especially if you are a company. I recently drove past a company and my mobile told me a network was available, it was named the same as the company, so if I had been a hacker I would know just the right spot to park my car in to get the best connection. This is also useful for those who practice identity theft, they would scour the dustbins for useful information carelessly discarded and use it when accessing that network.

David Baldwin is the Managing Director of Working Pulse Ltd(http://www.workingpulse.co.uk)

David designed and created SME Guild, the business community (http://www.smeguild.com) so all businesses (self-employed to large SME's) could benefit from each other's experience, find business contacts, new suppliers, networking opportunities, buy and sell online and much, much more!

Join before 1st May 2007 to get one year's FREE membership to SME Guild.


Related Tags: business, computers, advice, security, it, wifi, wireless, networks, passwords, wep

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