| The widespread use of Wi-Fi Technology is | | | | will log on so quickly they won't realize |
| bringing to light many security issues that | | | | what they are doing. WPA (Wi-Fi Protected |
| may have gone unnoticed by the average user. | | | | Access) WPA was originally designed as an |
| Traditional wired connections have obvious | | | | answer to security holes that were becoming |
| security precautions that most users are | | | | apparent in the widely accepted WEP |
| accustomed too, but extra measures must often | | | | technology. Wi-Fi Protected Access is an |
| be used when transferring data across a | | | | attempt to create standards within the |
| wireless, and sometimes public network. A | | | | wireless security industry, and begin a move |
| wireless Internet connection without security | | | | towards unifying the market. The Wi-Fi |
| can easily give anyone access to your files, | | | | Alliance designed the technology and a |
| email, and even gives others the ability to | | | | scattered market is beginning to see a |
| make changes to your computer. These types of | | | | unified method of security on the horizon. |
| security problems will probably have little | | | | The two main differentiators between WPA and |
| impact on most users. Occasionally surfing | | | | WEP are key size and the number of packets |
| the web at a coffee shop or having a wireless | | | | that actually carry the key. The number of |
| adapter set up on a printer will likely not | | | | characters in a WPA key is considerably more |
| bring down the house. To a business holes in | | | | than a WEP key, and it would taking sifting |
| security can cost time, money, and could | | | | through many more data packets to actually |
| possibly be a legal violation. A badly | | | | put a WPA key together. WEP (Wired Equivalent |
| secured Wireless Internet connection is an | | | | Protection): Wired Equivalent Protection uses |
| open door for hackers to use the technology | | | | encryption to protect data as it travels via |
| to cause general mischief or to even commit | | | | radio waves from transceivers. This means |
| crimes. The most common methods currently in | | | | that when you send your email from your |
| use to secure a Wi-Fi connection are SSIDs, | | | | laptop it becomes encrypted, is sent out |
| Wi-Fi Protected Access, and WEP. SSID | | | | wirelessly on radio carrier waves, is |
| (Service Set Identifiers) Every data packet | | | | received by a wireless access point, is then |
| sent over a Wi-Fi connection has a specific | | | | decrypted and sent on to the Internet as any |
| identifier attached to it. This identifier, | | | | wired connection would. As the name implies |
| or SSID, can recognize particular wireless | | | | this security was designed to provide the |
| networks and everyone accessing a particular | | | | same level of security a wired connection |
| network must have the correct Service Set | | | | would. This is not the case, but the security |
| Identifier. From a security standpoint SSID | | | | is usually strong enough for most users. The |
| alone offer almost no protection, but it does | | | | reason WEP has never become as secure as a |
| give a network a specific name making is | | | | wired network is there is simply no way |
| clear what network a user in connected too. | | | | around the fact that anyone can intercept |
| Knowing where you are connected too has | | | | radio wave and get the data out of them. The |
| become increasingly important due in part to | | | | level of encryption that the data has will |
| a wireless internet attack called The Evil | | | | mean the information is meaningless unless |
| Twin. While this may sound like something Dr. | | | | the interceptor has the WEP key. The problem |
| Evil would use, it's a common hacker | | | | here is that all data packets carry a piece |
| technique. The way it works is a hacker takes | | | | of the key and that in time, with enough |
| in a mobile wireless access point, usually | | | | packets, the key can be produced. This is a |
| set up on a laptop, and then enters a public | | | | lot of trouble to find out where a user has |
| area where an access point already exists. If | | | | been surfing, but maybe not too much to |
| no SSID is set up, then someone may actually | | | | acquire hundreds of credit card numbers. |
| log on to the hacker's computer giving them | | | | Again if you are not targeted by a hacker, |
| access to all data sent and received. This is | | | | WEP is surely enough protection. WEP is |
| a great way to get access to usernames and | | | | currently installed on almost all wireless |
| passwords. Even with SSID a hacker is going | | | | routers available to consumers. |
| to name their network something confusingly | | | | |
| similar. If you are at your favorite coffee | | | | Jon Norwood is a managing partner of the High |
| shop and are about to log on, check the names | | | | Speed Internet Access Guide, a site dedicated |
| of the networks carefully. Be careful if you | | | | to providing reviews of broadband Internet |
| see two possible networks with very similar | | | | service providers, as well as information on |
| spelling like these: - CoffeeHouse - | | | | wireless Internet providers and satellite |
| CofeeeHouse The hacker is hoping his network | | | | Internet. |
| shows up first in the list, and that users | | | | |