Excerpts from The West
Thousands of people with poor wireless internet security are vulnerable to criminals who can hack into their computers, download illegal material using their internet account and access personal banking details, police warn.
Det-Sen. Const. Jamie McDonald, of the computer crime squad, said wireless internet users were being targeted by a crime called “war driving,” in which criminals drive around suburbs until their laptops pick up a wireless network signal. He said many people who signed up for wireless internet accounts did not activate the security programs provided and default safety software could often be bypassed by savvy criminals in minutes.
This made it easy for hackers to access the wireless network and download vast amounts of material, including child pornography.
The account holder was left with a potentially big bill for the hacker’s activities and could also be caught up in police investigations if illicit information was downloaded. Hackers can use personal details to get information, including banking passwords.
“We get a lot of reports of people saying that their internet seems to be being accessed by someone else who is downloading all sorts of things but that activity can only be traced to the person making the complaint because it is done using their network.”
“Wireless internet users have to make sure when they set up their account that they have taken the steps to secure it or they are completely vulnerable.”
And check this out!
Information-Security-Resources.com recently had the opportunity to talk to some of best known innovators of our time, including Steve Wozniak (Apple co-founder), John McAfee, (McAfee Security) Alex Fielding (President/CEO Ripcord), Phil Zimmermann, Jon Callas and Marc Hodosh. They discuss the fatal flaw in VoIP which creates the ability to perform warrantless wiretaps and what they have done to lead the industry toward more trusted and secure Cyberspace:
Wozniak, et al Discuss Ripcord VoIP Security
This article was originally published on May 24, 2009 on the Information Security Resources (ISR) website. Special thanks to Eugene resident and ISR Financial Editor Anthony M. Freed.
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