Wi-Fi virus attacks: Urban wireless security
Linksys Wi-FiIf terrorism and chronic halitosis aren’t enough to worry about, now you can add Wi-Fi flu to the list. Think Trojans, worms and computer viruses only attack your PC? Think again! According to research at Indiana University we could soon see viruses that spread across Wi-Fi hotspots.
Like a flu spreading across urban areas, a new strain of Wi-Fi flu could jump across overlapping Internet hotspots carrying trashy pop-ups and malware through your wireless router. Using Wi-Fi as a delivery method for viruses hasn’t yet been adopted by hackers, but that’s only because the technology was still relatively new to the mainstream consumer. But these days you can’t walk into an apartment building without being bombarded by wireless access points! I guarantee every senior citizen in your building has their own wireless network by now.
In a computer generated test scenario using several major cities as a model, 10-55 percent of the routers in the city became infected.
Your self-defense method from wireless attack is simple - WPA! When setting up your router be sure to use that security tab and select WPA, not WEP. Not setting any password is asking for trouble. I just hope the person that lives above my mom’s apartment isn’t reading because I like the free Wi-Fi when I go for a visit. No password means anyone can use your Internet access and if you’re not on an unlimited plan they could be running up a fee - or they could be downloading illegal material.
WEP security is generally regarded as hackable but WPA is not. So remember, WPA security with a good hard-to-remember password - kills Wi-Fi bugs DEAD!
Tags: DMCA
