Warning about wireless laptops.

[pussnboots]

I have just been watching Manhunt on ITV1 it seems that if you have a wireless laptop you can be in danger of your information being stolen. There is some soft ware that can be bought, and just by driving round a neighbourhood you can 'latch on' to anyones computer and get all the information from it. This bothered me has anyone experienced this.

[Ethel]

You don't need to buy software - just make sure you have your security set on your router.

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?article id=1489&page=9

What make / model router do you have?

[pussnboots]

Hello Ethel, I myself do not have a laptop but my grown up kids have and I was worried for them. My Dell is connected thro the phone line. The software spoken about on the programme was for the villains to buy to enable them to get into wireless computers. As you may quess I know very little of these things, thanks for your help I will relay it to my big kids.

[fo3nix]

What was on Manhunt (disclaimer: I've never seen it) was most likely 90% journalistic rubbish and (almost) scaremongering.

It is possible to do what you say, with free programs available online. Very simple too.

To prevent this, everyone using a wireless router should protect their connection with WPA or better encryption (most routers now support this).

Laptops should be set to never connect to random connections (often they can be, in an attempt to always be online, wherever you are), and you should only connect to trusted connections that are encrpyted with WPA or better.

When you're not using the laptop's wireless functionality, turn it off. Not only does this prevent this cracking, but it also saves energy.

If you do all that, you'll be very unlucky to have this happen to you.

[Phantaxus]

and do change your default router password

http://www.virus.org/default-password/

[Barbega]

I think if youre wifi is stolen its only going to be an inconveniance, theres no need to stress about it or worry for your kids.

[Kerplunk]

It wasn't scaremongering and it isn't just an inconveniance.
They did state that you must use WPA security NOT WEP.
Any / all information that is sent between your computer and wirelsss router can be intercepted and read by someone with a little knowledge and the right software if you do not use correct security. This could include passwords for online banking etc...

NEVER USE YOUR LAPTOP FOR SENSITIVE PURPOSES IN A WIFI HOTSPOT. E.g. internet cafe's.

[ACtheTROLL]

I didn't see the prog either but....
It's not scaremongering "road warriors" (as the spotty herberts like to call themselves) are alive, well and probably slithering somewhere near you now.

Netstumbler is the finder of choice add a GPS and you can accurately map hotspots (maps are freely available of hotspots throughout the country). As are the tools to crack wep psk and any other security layers you care to mention.

I travel quite a lot ... and never have problems finding a signal to use.

It depends what your priorities are ... out of your network (router) .... or out of your machines (router firewall + software fw on each machine). combine the lot and you are getting there. (named mac address list is essential!!)

The question used to be ... "what have you got that they want ...."

but now the little "dears" either do it to be a***h***s.
but the latest sniffers are looking for personal details.

When I was learning ... the idea was to leave a note .... no damage. Now it tends to be leave damage .... no note