There was a time when computers weren’t something ordinary people could afford. Back then, only the rich could buy them and the only networks in the world were those run by governments or large companies. Today, the picture is most certainly different. An average family’s home can have a network of computers owned by each family member and their Internet connections are fast and topnotch. Some families even use wireless computers and though cost is no longer an issue, information security definitely is.
What makes wireless networks sensitive sometimes is the fact that signals can go everywhere and are very hard to detect. This makes hackers very happy then, because now, they can hack any wirelessly connected computer and very easily at that. There’s no need to install Trojans or keyloggers. They just have to connect to that wireless network with their own laptop and start stealing information from those that are already connected. This is why wireless security should never be taken for granted. Imagine having a close neighbor connecting to your network without your permission. The risks are always there but it doesn’t mean wireless networking is bad altogether.
In fact, only unsecured wireless networks can be a headache which means as long as you secure yours, you shouldn’t have any problem. If you’re not exactly technically savvy, you might think it’s some complicated task that needs an expert to do. On the contrary, you can do it on your own and quite simply.
First off, because networks run on ID’s, you need to secure your own network’s ID so unauthorized access is prevented. Laptops will come with a default SSID (Service Set Identifier) or ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier). If you don’t customize it, you can expect hackers to come prying in because it’s actually very easy for them to research on the default identifiers for each wireless computer manufacturer. This is why it’s extremely important that you change you SSID or ESSID into something unique to you.
Then you need to disable Identifier Broadcasting so you don’t get to announce to the whole world that you’ve got this wireless network that just about anyone out there could hack into. A manual that comes with your device will have instructions for this.
The third step in securing your wireless network is to enable Encryption so only authorized people able to access your information. There are actually two types of encryption you can use – WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). For maximum security, it’s better to go for WPA which provides stronger protection than WEP which has many flaws and is quite easy to crack.
Firewalls are, of course, basic to every Internet security campaign, whether wired or wireless, so check your manual and set up your firewall to block unwanted traffic. Anti-virus software as well as anti-spyware and anti-adware should also be installed and updated regularly to ensure maximum protection.
As a final step, change your default password into some unique to you. Refrain from using birth dates and anniversaries which are pretty easy to crack. The most secure password could be a random combination of letters, characters and numbers.
As a general online security measure, an IP hiding software just might be very helpful. Because it allows you to surf with fake a IP address, you don’t leave a trail for hackers to follow back to you. This way, you keep these unwanted elements at bay and you simply enjoy the added freedom to your Internet activities.
By: Brad M Smith
Posts Tagged ‘Hackers’
Some Types of Network Security Breaches
December 24th, 2009
The online world has grown in leaps and bounds in the last few years. This provides the public with some amazing resources – the ability to access information with the touch of a finger, the ability to communicate via fast and inexpensive methods, and more functionality and ease of use are being introduced every day. Unfortunately, as with all good things, there is also a dark side.
While there are plenty of people who use the internet and computers responsibly and honestly, there are predators and hackers out there who spoil the fun for everyone if their dirty deeds go unchecked. There are a lot of ways for these people to compromise your computer and your network. Below we will review just a few of the ways that your network can be compromised.
Two destructive network breaches fall under a category known as “destructive behavior.” One involves the complete obliteration of data within your network. It is called “data destruction” and it is just what it sounds like. It happens when someone breaches your network and deletes data. If your network is business-related, this can be devastating. Experts say that it is no less destructive than a fire that destroys your computer equipment.
Some perpetrators have more than simple destruction in mind. They do something called “data diddling” which means that they alter the data in your system. They might change data in spreadsheets or other documents, or they might tamper with your accounting system. Some examples of things that have really happened involve the accounting system specifically. “Hackers” have broken into a network, accessed the accounting system, and changed the account numbers on direct deposit paychecks to go into their own accounts. Thefts like this take some time to track down – first the employee has to not get paid, investigations have to be made, and someone has to think to double-check the direct deposit account information. In some cases, companies have cut new paper checks and it has taken months to retrieve the lost funds.
Another way in which networks are vulnerable is in the realm of confidentiality. A lot of times, companies possess information that, if shared with a competitor, could be very bad for business. In this case, predators are not looking to alter or destroy data, they are merely trying to find out information they’re not supposed to know. If someone were to find out financial performance information before a public release of said information it could affect the stock negatively. If a company is planning to roll out a new product and someone gets that information and gives it to a competitor, or leaks the information to the public, it could hurt the company’s sales. Even more frightening is the possibility of someone breaking in to view confidential employee-related data – like home addresses, social security numbers, and bank account information.
All of these network attacks happen because outside users are able to gain unauthorized access to a network. To access information, change data, or delete data, the attacker gains access to a network and is able to execute illicit commands – either at the normal user level or at the administrator level. Both are bad, but luckily both can be avoided if you take these threats seriously and develop sound policies regarding your network security .
By: Lawrence Reaves
