Who's using your network?

Recently wireless networks have become easier and easier to set up.

Many people who have purchased broadband routers have gone for the option of adding wireless connectivity and the appeal of browsing the Internet from the garden or listening to your mp3 collection in the bath has prompted many others to add wireless connectivity to their existing systems.

Unfortunately, in an effort to make their products easy to set up and therefore sell, many of the manufacturers of these wireless units have bypassed the security aspects of wireless networking and have enabled insecure wireless by default.

This may not seem a serious problem for the average home user, who may even be unaware that their network is being browsed, but in a time where identity theft is becoming more common it provides a way for unscrupulous people to obtain personal information about their target.

Even more concerning is the fact that many businesses use cheap, domestic grade equipment on their company networks. Combine this with the poor security commonly found on small business networks and anyone with a basic knowledge of wireless can browse sensitive company data.

A walk around any small town with a wireless enabled PDA will reveal tens or even hundreds of unsecured networks and this has led to a whole new pastime known as War Chalking where chalk marks are placed in public spaces to advise fellow War Chalkers of available networks.

I strongly advise anyone with a wireless network to thoroughly check the security settings on their system and, if you are unsure, to get an independent audit performed.