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Wireless Security - Too Dangerous to ignore

 
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Wireless Security - Too Dangerous to ignore - 9/17/2008 2:58:14 PM   
hwaldron


Posts: 3588
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Joined: 9/12/2002
From: Roanoke VA, USA
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A home based wireless LAN (WLAN) can provide convenient and easy access to the Internet for all family members. However, if it is not locked down properly, it provides access to anyone who is in reception range. Most "visitors" would access a non-secured WLAN for free Internet connectivity. However, there are dangers where private information on the WLAN hard drive could be discovered or these visitors may access to highly inappropriate sites.

Likewise, a business must protect the privacy of their customer information. If a WLAN is setup, there is a need to use the latest equipment, safest security protocols, and take time to learn the key elements of wireless security. As the article from AVERT labs reflect, it's too dangerous to leave unsecured.

Wireless Security - Too Dangerous to ignore
http://www.avertlabs.com/research/blog/index.php/2008/09/15/the-perils-of-leaving-wi-fi-networks-unsecured/

quote:

People don’t seem to seriously care about Wi-Fi security yet. Inspite of oft-repeated warnings, ignorant folks with unlimited bandwidth plans believe that they are doing a social service by allowing neighbors to leach their Wi-Fi freely. What they fail to understand is that by doing so, they can become an unwitting accessory to cyber crime.

Instead of scouring for anonymous proxies to stay faceless on the internet, cyber criminals are increasingly targeting unsecured Wi-FI networks to get the job done. A combination of war driving tools such as NetStumbler along with a listing of default router usernames and passwords is all it takes to freely connect to unsecured Wi-FI networks. Especially since most Wi-Fi routers use default security settings that come pre-installed by the vendor rather than it having being configured by the end user.


Additional links and resources are noted below:

Example of failure that may cost $1 billion in Financial damages
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?p=485

How to Secure a Wireless LAN
http://www.dailywireless.com/features/secure-wireless-lan-021507/

Windows XP - Use WPA2 protocol (never use WEP)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WPA2

Wireless Security - 10 tips to secure your laptop
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=203102748

George Ou - More on Wireless LAN security
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/Ou/?p=404

Simple Advice for Wireless Home Networking
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/Ou/?p=42
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/Ou/?p=43



_____________________________


Harry Waldron - Security News & Best Practices Blog
Post #: 1
RE: Wireless Security - Too Dangerous to ignore - 9/17/2008 4:28:30 PM   
awenlock


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Joined: 3/8/2005
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Very interesting article.....good find Harry

I have to admit that I'm amazed at the number of people I know who tell me how wonderful their new wireless network is and when I ask what security they have setup on it, back comes the blank look.

It does raise an interesting point though, should wireless routers/access points require the user to setup it up fully before they can make use of it , ie, set the security on it so its not unsecure.

Well worth a read!


Regards
Alan  

(in reply to hwaldron)
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