Are You Just Another Sitting Duck?

Wireless networks are now more popular than ever. One of the highest uses of wireless networks is now within the home. They provide a great way to share one internet connection with all of the homes PCs, Laptops, Games consoles and even PDAs. They can also be used to share a printer and files between all of these devices.

Although wireless technology is being embraced by people everywhere, a major problem, which is often overlooked by people is security. Unless correctly setup and secured a wireless network, and the information it contains can be taken advantage of by someone easily. They could even be up to ½ a mile away at the time!

Most people become complacent with the security of a wireless network because the physical hardware used to create the network is always kept secure, locked up inside the persons house. Wireless transmissions however will easily pass through walls, windows and other obstacles and end up outside the confines of someone's home.

Some of the ways in which someone can take advantage of an un-secure wireless network are:

• 'Piggy Backing' off your internet connection.

  Someone will connect to your wireless network and use your internet connection as their own. The piggy backer will often download large quantities of files from peer-to-peer file sharing services and other not so reputable sites, including copyrighted material. This will mean that your internet speed will be slowed, you may incur a 'bandwidth' bill for over usage of your connection and may even be taken to court for downloading illegal files!

• Snooping through your personal files and folders.

  After someone has connected to an un-secure network then they will easily be able to access all of the files and folders stored on every other PC or Laptop that is also connected to that network. This can be one of the worst types of attacks, with an intruder using the information they find to commit identity theft or even worse.

• Eavesdropping on email messages and instant message chats.

  Something else an intruder can do without a problem once connected to an un-secure network. The intruder can read every message sent to and from any PC or Laptop using the network. This can open up a number of possible uses for the information that can be obtained. One possibility is knowing when you might be going on holiday and taking the opportunity to burgle your home.

• Discovery of your important and confidential account passwords.

  If someone is connected to your network and you login to your online banking, eBay account or similar they can discover your login details. They could then use these logins to transfer money out of your bank account, bid on items on eBay and then pay for them with your PayPal account! You can spend weeks or even months trying to get your money back, and in some cases will be unsuccessful as protection of your login details are your responsibility.