November 25, 2004

How vulnerable is your wireless network?

This question is getting more attention as time goes on.  You tend to see a lot of articles addressing this subject lately, so I'd like to pass on some of my own views.

Most of the discussions regarding wireless prying eyes involves around other people with a laptop with a wireless adapter being able to tap into your wireless router. 

Here are a few things to consider.  I really don't think you have to worry about hackers driving around the neighborhood watching their laptops for stray wireless signals coming from residential routers to tie into.  The main reason, with the price of gas going through the roof, they will need to be able to get a lot of private information just to pay for the gas.

Really though, the biggest problem with the concept of people driving around in cars looking to tap into someone else's router is that the wireless signals just don't go that far.  Sometimes it is a challenge just to get the signal to go across the house through a couple of walls.

You will probably find that if you take your laptop out of the front door, you'll probably lose the signal as soon as you close the door.  It is possible that the neighbor next door could pick up your wireless signal, but again, trying to go through an exterior wall and then any distance, I doubt you'll be able to get a signal.

 I have had clients tell me they were traveling and were able to tie into a wireless router at an activity desk, but all they were able to do was access the Internet since they weren't hackers and could not go beyond that point. 

If you have a wireless router, I'd suggest you follow the pointers discussed in this article. This article is regarding a Linksys router, but the security issues are almost identical for other brands.  Check out the vendor web site for your router for more information.

A couple of settings and you're on your way to worry free wireless networking.

Update: Also click here.

If you have a router, you have a built in firewall against intrusion.  If you still want to be paranoid, download and install Zone Alarm to give further protection.

If you want to check out your system to find out how vulnerable you are to hackers, get a free checkup here. This is a great site to do a thorough check of your system. Make sure to run all the tests.

If you have any questions or comments, click