Wireless routers open door for crooks

[WyomingRN]

INTERNET NEWS

Wireless routers open door for crooks

Report finds con artists, identity thieves can easily access your PC

Posted: February 11, 2004

1:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com

One of the hottest new computer-related technologies is the wireless router, but the popular Internet connection also opens the door to thieves, according to a consumer report.

High-tech criminals, using just a pocket PC and a $20 antenna, can pick up someone else's Internet connection from up to 10 miles away, says KIRO-TV in Seattle.

A wireless router beams an Internet connection through the air to other computers without the use of wires. It allows, for example, a laptop to connect from anywhere in a home or business.

Not only does it open a huge door for con artists and identity thieves, but it allows even perverts to walk right through, the KIRO report said.

"Imagine the case of Mediaography or child Mediaography and all of a sudden the authorities are knocking on your door and taking you away and you don't know what they're talking about - because someone downloaded child Mediaography via your connection," Brett Hiley, a computer security consultant, told KIRO.

Hiley demonstrated the hundreds of connections he could get while sitting in an SUV in Seattle's east suburbs.

"It looks like we're sitting here in an anonymous location, and we have full Internet access," he said.

Hiley warned that not only can hackers steal your connection, they can watch everything you do and even steal your personal information through free programs available via the Internet.

"I have personally found financial institutions that were transmitting credit information ... Social Security numbers, names, numbers, addresses, phone numbers, your credit report," he said.

Secret Service agent Wallace Shields confirmed that to KIRO.

"You can basically sit in a parking lot, and if you know what frequency to go in on when the stores download by satellite, you get tons of credit card information," Shields said.

Hacking tools exist, KIRO said, that decode passwords, even on some sites that claim to be secure.

Shields said it's important to use the encryption technology that comes with most routers, but KIRO's investigation found the security features are not user friendly and apparently most people have not turned them on.

Out of nearly 100 wireless connections KIRO accessed from a park during its investigation, fewer than half were encrypted.

[moonbunnie]

wow, that is a really scary thought as i sit here on my laptop with a wireless connection. i do use my computer to buy stuff, and its scary to think that someone could access all my info. i should really look into encryption on my network or something like that. ill have to talk to one of my computer-smart friends.

[jschut, BSN, RN]

Wow! I just bought a laptop and am having wireless internet installed this coming Tuesday....thanks for the heads up! I'll be sure and ask how to encrypt.....

[RN-RD]

WyomingRN:

I am so grateful to you for posting this!!!!

I have a wireless router and thought it was safe because I have Norton Internet Security, but I was unaware of the encryption issue. The user manual for my router said it had encryption but I did not know how to check to see if mine was active. I called tech support and they walked me through it step by step, and now I am encrypted!!!

I feel sick to my stomach thinking I was safe with Norton Internet Security, and now I realize that I might be a victim of a hacker.

Thank you again so very much for your post!

[WyomingRN]

I'm glad this has been helpful. My husband, who is pretty good at these machines, was surprised at how many companies sent OUR information without protection. We sold a house to someone and are carrying the payments. Last year she had a few problems and it turned out that her identity was stolen. While she never did figure out for sure how, the indication was that it was taken from her bank somehow. This stuff seems to just get scarier and scarier.

[RN-RD]

Do you know if there is any way to find out if somebody used my internet connection by tapping into my wireless router? I guess I should contant my ISP to see if they know. It seems like the crooks are always one step ahead of everyone else unforturnately.

If banks are sending out information unsecured, then I guess nobody is safe. Very scary indeed!

[justjenny]

Thanks for posting this... it is mostly true.

However, the article does not point out that use of a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is another appropriate way for a business to protect their network. I can see private home users being unaware of the protection required for a wireless network, but any reputable business who is spending big $$ to install/configure a network should invest the extra little $ for the added security. Unfortunately, a local news story last year proved that there are many businesses who do not adequately protect themselves. I can only hope that banks and hospitals are protecting our info.....

Jenny

[WyomingRN]

There are programs that you can use to tell if someone is accessing your computer, but as to any program that would identify if some has intercepted the information once it is sent into space, we don't know of anything. The best thing is to encrypt. You should also considering encrypting. Then I am told you should remember to encrypt. LOL It really is important.

Another thing we do is use two hard drives. One is removable. Because we run two businesses, keeping information safe is important. The main drive only has the operating programs on it. ALL data is kept on a separate drive which is removable; and it is never plugged in unless we are actually using it; and that only happens when we are not on the net.

If you do send any private information over the net, it should be encrypted. Even if the site you are at is safe, your information is only safe ONCE it gets to the site. If it is intercepted and copied before then, there is nothing the site can do about it. When at all possible, find a phone number of the site which you are dealing with and call in the information, but remember, if you are using a cordless or cell phone, it is the same as using a wireless connection. We keep and maintain an old direct connect land line phone. We think everyone should have at least one of these.

There has got to be some computer gurus on this forum. If you know more, please post.