Risky Business & What Can We Do About It?

We all want to be wireless. No longer are we content to be tethered to a desk, but we still want to be connected to the world. And now, with the proliferation of smartphones and netbooks we can work or play from anywhere we happen to be. Home wireless networks are becoming the norm. Even businesses are going wireless due to it’s cost effectiveness. Unfortunately, if proper safeguards aren’t put in place, the convenience afforded by all of this exciting technology can be quite costly.

Take TJX for instance. TJX owns such companies as T.J. Maxx, Home Goods, Marshalls, and AJ Wright. In 2005, TJX’s network was hacked leading to the theft of more than 100 million credit and debit card numbers belonging to consumers of the popular chains.

Because TJX employed an outdated encryption method, WEP, hackers were able to break into the network and remain undetected for over a year and a half. Find out more in the video below:

It is possible to see what kind of encryption method is being used through free software on your laptop or smartphone. I went to the Home Depot around the corner from my house to see how their network secured. Using my phone I was able to ascertain that they have at least three wireless networks:

‘orange12’

‘concrete’

‘rebar’

I’m also pleased to note that all three were locked with WPA2 encryption.

Here are some steps to take at home to secure your wireless data:

1. Change the default password used to access your router. Usually when you buy a router, the default password is admin or administrator and hackers know this.

2. Enable WPA or WPA2 encryption. This will allow you to set a password for users to use to gain access to the network. Here’s a screenshot of my wireless network properties window in Windows 7:

3. You may wish to enable mac filtering. This means you will specify which computers and devices have the privilege to connect to your network. Any that you have not expressly permitted will be denied access.

4. Don’t broadcast your SSID (Service Set Identifier). The SSID is the name used to identify your network.

This is by no means a definitive list. But it is a good start towards securing your wireless home network. For more information visit GetNetWise.



Souces:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/21/60minutes/main3530302_page2.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody

http://spotlight.getnetwise.org/wireless/wifitips/

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/consumers-still-in-danger-of-getting-hacked