Security Risks Of Wireless Network

Wireless networks introduce additional security risks. Here are few precautions to protect your information.

Fremont, CA:  Almost everyone has one internet-connected device, leastwise in today's connected world. However, with several of these devices on the rise, it is crucial to implement a security strategy to minimize their potential for exploitation (see Securing the Internet of Things).

For example, nefarious entities may use Internet-connected devices to collect personal information, steal identities, bargain financial data, and quietly listen to—or watch—users. Taking a few cautions in the configuration and employ of your devices can support preventing this sort of activity.

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Security risks Of wireless network

The risks to an insecure wireless network are the same, whether a home or business network. Some of the risks involved:

Piggybacking

If you fail to safeguard your wireless network, anyone with a wireless-enabled computer in a range of your access point can use your connection. For example, an access point's typical indoor broadcast range is 150–300 feet. Outdoors, this range may expand as far as 1,000 feet.

Hence, if your neighborhood is carefully settled, or you live in an apartment or condominium, failure to secure your wireless network could open your internet connection to many unintended users. These users may be capable of leading illegal activity, monitoring and catching your web traffic, or stealing personal files.

Wardriving

Wardriving is a special kind of piggybacking. The broadcast rove of a wireless access point can make internet connections accessible outside your home, even as far away as your street. Smart computer users know this, and some have made a hobby of driving using cities and neighborhoods with a wireless-equipped computer—sometimes with a robust antenna—searching for unsecured wireless networks. This practice is called "wardriving."

Evil Twin Attacks

In an evil twin attack, an adversary collects information about a public network access point, then sets up their system to impersonate it. The adversary utilizes a broadcast signal more vital than the one produced by the legitimate access point; then, unsuspecting users connect using the stronger signal.

Since the victim is connecting to the internet through the attacker's system, it's easy for the attacker to use particularized tools to read any data the victim sends over the internet. This data may incorporate credit card numbers, username and password combinations, and other personal information. Always confirm the name and password of a public Wi-Fi hotspot before use. This will guarantee you are connecting to a trusted access point.

Wireless Sniffing

Many public access points are not protected, and the traffic they transmit is not encrypted. This can put your sensitive communications or transactions at risk. Because your connection is being sent "in the clear," malicious actors could employ sniffing tools to get sensitive information, for instance, passwords or credit card numbers. Make sure that all the access points you connect exploit at least WPA2 encryption.

Unauthorized Computer Access

An unsecured public wireless network with unsecured file sharing could enable a malicious user to access any directories and files you unintentionally made available for sharing. Ensure that you deny sharing files and folders when you connect your devices to public networks. Only allow sharing on recognized home networks while it is necessary to share items. When not necessary, ensure that file sharing is crippled. This will help prevent an unfamiliar attacker from accessing your device's files.

Shoulder Surfing

Nasty actors can simply glance over your shoulder as you type in public areas. Just by watching you, they can steal sensitive or personal information. Screen protectors that impede shoulder-surfers from seeing your device can be purchased for little money. For smaller devices like phones, be aware of your surroundings while viewing sensitive information or typing passwords.

Theft of Mobile Devices

Not all attackers depend on gaining access to your data via wireless means. By stealing your device, attackers could have unlimited access to all its data and any connected cloud accounts. Taking gauges to protect your devices from loss or theft is important, but should the worst happen, a little preparation may protect the data inside.

First, most mobile devices, including laptop computers, can now fully encrypt their stored data, making them useless to attackers who cannot provide the proper password or PIN (personal identification number). Besides encrypting device content, it is advisable to configure your device's applications to request login information before allowing access to any cloud-based information.

Finally, individually encrypt or password-protect files that include personal or sensitive information. This will provide another layer of protection if an attacker gains access to your device.