Preventable Urban Warfare

1 laptop or PDA
1 wireless network card
1 network detecting program
1 tricked out Pringles can (optional)
This is not the shopping list of a systems administrator with an unusual fixation for Pringles cans. These are the equipment used by those that cruise around looking for wireless networks to gain unauthorized access to. This practice is commonly referred to as “War Driving”. Do not be misled by the name, driving is not a requisite for gaining unauthorized access to networks, but it does make it more convenient.
War Driving exploits the generally lax security that is associated with Wi-Fi or wireless networks. Common targets are airports, retail stores, and of course home networks. The semi-tech savvy, simply assemble the components above and drive around until they detect a wireless network. They then access the network and proceed to utilize the network resources. This could entail any thing from surfing the net to using it as a launching pad for spam. There are websites that are dedicated to mapping Wi-Fi access points in most major cities or areas. The troubling thing is that, with the exception of the laptop, the other parts can be purchased on ebay for less than $200.
Those that have home wireless networks may think that no one would want to access their network, and if they did the only use that they could gain would be to surf the net. Well, that would not be exactly accurate. First of all, identity theft is a leader of consumer and white-collar criminal complaints. Your network and computer is littered with your personal information. Lastly, if someone is only surfing the net, then they are doing it on your dime.
The good news is that the prevention can be even cheaper, free. The most important tool that you will need is the instructional manuals or documentation that accompanied your wireless network hardware. The first thing that you can do is to change your SSID. Most people are so eager to have a wireless network that they just take it out of the box and plug everything in. By changing the SSID from the default, you have instantly increased the security level of your network. A helpful hint is to change it to something that is not obvious or easily guessable.
The next thing that you can do is to enable the WEP. This will provide you with another hurdle that must be overcome if some wishes to access your network. The last two things that I would suggest are to change the default password for your wireless routers and to disable the “broadcast SSID” if you have it.
These are a good start for protecting your wireless network, but if someone is determined enough they may find a way into your network. If your concern is considerable, then you may choose to switch to a hard wire network. You could also periodically test your network to determine the security level. As always, email me your questions.