Wi-Fi Network Security Failures (War Driving and Insecure Home Networks)

Wi-Fi Network Security Failures (War Driving and Insecure Home Networks

Introduction

Modern technology has undergone a huge evolutionary leap with the introduction of wireless technology . Little by little , the world is being connected thru wireless means , effectively overcoming the physical limitation previously presented by wired technologies . Wireless technology has limitless potential and currently has numerous applications which are not only bound in computer systems , but also communications , business , leisure and other aspects of human lives ( Wifi , 2005

A local area wireless connection or network (commonly abbreviated as WLAN or LAWN

) is similar to a normal LAN though the units are connected thru wireless ports and transmits and receives data through radio connections . IEEE 802 .11 sets up the standards for WLAN technologies , in which case it uses Ethernet protocol and CSMA /CA (carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance ) for path sharing and includes an encryption method , the Wired Equivalent Privacy algorithm . These technologies are now being utilized in various government and non-government sectors in the United States and Europe such as in schools and businesses ( Wireless LAN , 2006

Expert opinion on Wi-Fi network security

The current boom in wireless technologies also entailed many risks including drive-by hacking ' and other such threats . RSA Security Systems research has shown that about a third of businesses that apply wireless technology in their operations are at risk from hackers and other electronic perpetrators . John Worrall , vice-president of Worldwide Marketing at RSA describes hacking as something like trying to open all the doors in an apartment until one opens . Worrall also notes that their research shows that in Europe , almost a third of business computer networks remain unprotected and the rate in which cyber crimes grow is increases by up to 66 annually . Further studies in key business centers of New York City , San Francisco , London and Frankfurt reveal that about one third of wireless business networks were found to be unsecured -- 38 of businesses in New York , 35 in San Francisco , 36 in London and 34 in Frankfurt (Bernard , 2005

These results tell that businesses set low priorities for the security of their wireless networks . City surveys from various parts of the world reveal that their wireless security settings are still set in default : 26 in London 30 in Frankfurt 31 in New York and 28 in San Francisco . One of the proponents of these studies is Phil Cracknell CTO at netSurity . He states that the figures presented above are just warnings to businesses to protect their digital investments . He also notes that as private wi-fi networks increase , the risks of hacking and data tampering also increases . What Mr . Cracknell means by this is that the easy accessibility of wireless networks makes it easy for hackers to access restricted data on the fly and companies and other ventures are at high risks if they are not careful (Bernard , 2005

War driving

War dialing , is a method used by hackers wherein they dial a number until they successfully access an open modem , and...