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Wireless Network Security

Identity Safeguards © June 2004

Homes and businesses across the country have cast aside the wired remains of their computer networks in favor of emerging wireless technologies. For around $100, a person can surf the web over the airwaves, write emails from a lawn chair, or search for recipes in the kitchen. The ease and affordability of wireless networks makes them appealing to internet users. But, as with most new technologies, convenience can come at a price.

Wireless networks transmit through floors and walls, making internet access available throughout entire homes and offices. Information is also transmitted outside of the desired location (anyone who has picked up a neighbors wireless network is familiar with this). A person in range of the wireless network can pick up the signal, and potentially access the network. Often, the information floating in the air is available to anyone with the know-how to retrieve it.

It is not difficult to imagine that these wireless networks can pose a threat to a person’s personal information and, as a result, his or her identity.

Thieves steal information from wireless networks in two ways. Some use a technique called “eavesdropping” to snatch critical information from the air. A wireless laptop running specialized snooping programs can intercept the tiny bits of data that are sent every time a person submits a form on the web, chats on an instant messenger, or sends an email. Have you ever sent an email with financial information, maybe a bank account number or an attached spreadsheet? On a wireless network, unencrypted personal information is fair game to the sophisticated eavesdropper.

Other thieves use wireless technology as a point of access to home and business networks. With a little know-how, a person can enter a network and gain access to shared files and sensitive data. Hackers have always been able to crack networks and enter illegally. Wireless networks that haven’t been secured make their job even easier.

Whether they’re grabbing information out of the air or breaking into networks, thieves can use wireless technology to obtain a wealth of personal information.

If you have a wireless network, there are a few steps you should take to protect yourself.

• Turn on your wireless router’s encryption. Routers have a control panel that can be accessed through a connected computer. The control panel will allow you to enable data encryption. Older routers use WEP (Wireless Equivalent Privacy) encryption to scramble data. A more secure protocol WPA (Wireless Protected Access) is included with newer routers and provides greater protection. Either encryption method will prevent most hackers from gaining access to your data.
   
• Hide your wireless network by not broadcasting its SSID. By default, routers will broadcast an identifier or name so computers can detect them. This is the SSID. Most routers give you the option to mask the SSID so the casual snooper can’t find your network.
   
• Allow only authorized MAC addresses to access the router. Every computer has a unique code, called the MAC address, that identifies it. You can configure a router to give access only to specific MAC addresses. This technique is not foolproof but effective when used in conjunction with the above encryption methods.

Wireless technology is a convenient and cost effective tool for internet access. It is also vulnerable to thieves in search of personal information. With the proper precautions, however, wireless networks can be safe for both businesses and individuals.