You use wireless networks that are encrypted to stay safe, right? Wrong! Hackers want you to think that this is how you are protected so that you remain vulnerable to their attacks.
Below you will find 4 things that wireless hackers hope you don't know:
1. WEP encryption is useless for protecting your wireless network.
WEP can be easily cracked within minutes and essentially provides users with a false sense of security.
Even a mediocre hacker can break Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) in a matter of minutes, rendering it essentially useless as a protection mechanism.
Many owners of older wireless routers never bothered to change their wireless network encryption from WEP to the newer and stronger WPA2 security.
Setting up your router to WPA2 is a fairly simple process. Visit the manufacturer's website for instructions on changing settings or updating the firmware.
It should be noted that even WPA2 encryption can be cracked. It is more difficult but it can be done, especially if you do not use passwords with many letters. The size (length) of the password matters.
2. Using MAC filters on your routers will not help prevent unauthorized devices from connecting
Every computer, every gaming system, every printer, etc., has a unique (hard-coded) MAC address. This address is what your router “sees.” So there are many routers that allow you to deny access by a device’s MAC address.
The router reads the MAC address of the device that is about to connect to your network and compares it with the list of allowed or denied connections.
This sounds like a great security mechanism, but the problem is that hackers can spoof the router by using fake MAC addresses that match the ones you allow.
All they need to do is use a packet capture program to “listen” to the wireless traffic. This way, they can record which MAC addresses are allowed to connect to the network. Then, they give their device a MAC address that matches one of the allowed ones.
3. Disabling the remote management feature of your router is a very effective protection measure against hackers
Many routers have a setting that allows you to manage them over a wireless connection from your browser. This means you can access all of the router's security settings and other features without having to be at the computer connected to the router using an Ethernet cable.
While it's convenient because it allows you to manage your router remotely, it provides an entry point for hackers who want your security settings.
There are many people who never change the factory administrator passwords on their router, which makes things even easier for hackers.
It would be a good idea to not allow wireless connections to your router's management panel. Allow connections to the panel only via Ethernet cable.
Of course, it goes without saying that you should immediately change all lab settings.
4. If you use public hotspots you are an easy target for man-in-the-middle attacks and session hijacking
Hackers use tools like Firesheep and AirJack to carry out “man-in-the-middle” attacks. This allows them to get between your computer and the connection you use and collect passwords, read your emails, and more.
In fact, using tools like SSL Strip, they can obtain passwords from secure websites you visit.
You can avoid unpleasant situations like the ones above by using a VPN service provider to protect your traffic when using wi-fi networks.
A secure VPN provides an extra layer of security that is extremely difficult to crack. Not that it can’t be cracked, hackers will just choose an easier target.
