Ch. 4 Ethics and Information Security{0}
In Hilary Whiteman’s article, “Security experts warn of dangers of rogue Wi-Fi hotspots,” Whiteman discusses the potential danger of travelers at an airport logging onto an unsafe Wi-Fi network. The danger of logging onto a rogue network is that hackers are able to gain access into people’s laptops and steal valuable personal information. Being able to distinguish between a good Internet access hotspot and a rogue is a problem that hackers aim to provide unsuspecting users of Wi-Fi. In 2008, AirTight Networks dispatched a number of so-called “white hat” hackers to 27 airports around the world to test the vulnerability of their Wi-Fi systems. They found that 80 percent of the private Wi-Fi networks tested were open or poorly protected(Whiteman, 2009).
In an effort to test the danger to unprotected Wi-Fi users, computer security expert Sean Remnant acted as a “white hat” hacker in London’s Heathrow airport. With the use of a laptop and a downloaded program called Airodump, Remnant quickly is able to see 20 wireless networks on his screen with about 5 having weak server security, but to regular Wi-Fi users’ eye not easily detectable.
According to Wi-Fi Alliance’s marketing director, Kelly Davis-Felner, the best way to protect one from unsuspecting hackers is to just enable the built-in security features on Wi-Fi enabled devices. Also using a Virtual Private Network(VPN), which encrypts data coming and going from your laptop will be able protect more sensitive information. Other tips in order to avoid being a victim of hackers is use networks you trust, make a list of Wi-Fi connections used and also to disconnect the wireless connection when not using it.
Whiteman, H. (2009). Security experts warn of dangers of rogue Wi-Fi hotspots. Retrieved September 16, 2009, from CNN Technology http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/08/11/wifi.security.hackers/index.html