Department of Justice Headline Archives WIFI SECURITYSome

20 11 2008

Its also very tough to trace hack that originates on an open, unsecure network. Agent Peterson explained that the criminal aspect comes into play once data taken by the hacker is used to commit crime. And connecting to an unsecure network can leave you vulnerable to attacks from hackers. How do hackers grab your personal data out of thin air? Agent Peterson said one of the common types of attack is this bogus but legitimatelooking WiFi network with strong signal is strategically set up in known hot spot…and the hacker waits for nearby laptops to connect to it.

Another thing to remember, said Agent Peterson, is that the connection between your laptop and the attackers laptop runs both ways while hes taking info from you, you be unknowingly downloading viruses, worms, and other malware from him. Businesses that offer free or adhoc WiFi often dont know their networks have been breached. With time to kill, youre thinking of connecting your laptop to the airports WiFi to check your office email…do some personal banking…or shop for gift for your spouse.

see the graphic below for the top WiFi countries, at airports, coffee shops, hotels, bookstores, schools, and other locations where hundreds or thousands of people pass through every day. But if you have to,there are someprecautions you can take to decrease the threat Make sure your laptop security is up to date, with current versions of your operating system, web browser, firewalls, and antivirus and antispyware software. Individual victims usually dont realize theyve been targeted either until its too late.

And connecting to an unsecure network can leave you vulnerable to attacks from hackers. How do hackers grab your personal data out of thin air? Agent Peterson said one of the common types of attack is this bogus but legitimatelooking WiFi network with strong signal is strategically set up in known hot spot…and the hacker waits for nearby laptops to connect to it. Individual victims usually dont realize theyve been targeted either until its too late. Department of Justice. Headline Archives WIFI SECURITYSome Advice from the FBI Youre at the airport waiting for your flight.