WiFi is a local
area high-speed wireless technology that gives broadband access to
users within a particular range, or hotspot. But such networks are
vulnerable, as they permit intrusions on systems with no need for
intermediaries.
Not only do they allow hackers to infiltrate, but they can also
be used to input malicious code of all types into a network.
The Spanish security firm carried out 'wardriving' surveys to
check the accessibility of WiFi networks. Wardrivers drive around
with normal laptop computers, running freely available software,
which can detect accessible wireless, or WiFi, networks. By simply
clicking a mouse they can access the detected network.
The surveys found that almost 60% of networks have no protection
at all.
The report, Security in Wireless Networks, also reveals
that where protections are in place, they are largely inadequate.
It says that while the most widely used protocol for the security
of the network, WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), has many
vulnerabilities, the most effective protocols, such as WPA (WiFi
Protected Access) or WPA-PSK (WiFi Protected Access – pre-shared
key), are hardly used at all.
“Although it is true that wireless networks have not been
exploited extensively for malicious ends, it would seem clear that
users are not sufficiently aware of the threat that they could
represent to security ” said Luis Corrons, director of
PandaLabs.
“This is more sensitive in the case of companies: if corporate
networks with WiFi are not correctly protected, the scope of the
potential attack is more concerning, as security could be
compromised across the company,” he added.
