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As wireless world grows, so does hackers’ playground
By Larry Hendrick | March 23, 2007
An article in this morning’s Houston Chronicle caught my attention. It seems some are beginning to understand the implications of Muni WiFi projects and how difficult it will be to monitor from many standpoints. I have addressed this dilemma from several directions, not the least of which is the unlawful use of these networks.
The biggest security threat, on the Internet, is an unknowing participant. Looking at statistics, most people are unable to tell when they are being scammed. Passwords and credit card numbers are given out to anyone requesting the information without thought to whether it is legitimate.
The ruse, described below, is an old one, but still effective against many who will use these wireless networks, and control is impossible. Blocking websites, either by group or IP address, has proven largely ineffective in the long run, and then the courts rule against the use of the procedure on the grounds of “user’s rights.”
The real shame? The cities don’t have a clue about the “can of worms” they are opening, or maybe I should say, “Pandora’s box,” to be more accurate.
As wireless world grows, so does hackers’ playground | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
As communities push to turn themselves into massive wireless hot spots, unsuspecting Internet users are stumbling directly onto hacker turf, giving computer thieves nearly effortless access to their laptops and private information, authorities and high-tech security experts say.
It’s an invasion with a twist: People who think they are signing on to the Internet through a wireless hot spot might actually be connecting to a look-alike network, created by a malicious user who can steal sensitive information, said Geoff Bickers, a special agent for the FBI’s Los Angeles cyber squad.
Topics: WiFi |